Yellowknife (Apr 14/03) - BHP's goal of cutting back on energy consumption saved the Ekati mine 865,638 litres of diesel fuel last year.

That has won the mine a 2002 Energy Action Award from the Arctic Energy Alliance.

The award recognizes the work of an Ekati team of volunteers formed to find ways to reduce fuel consumption at the mine's diesel generating plant.

The initial target was 500,000 litres.

Jim Excell, Ekati president and chief operating officer, accepted the award from the Alliance on their behalf.

The Arctic Energy Alliance is a non-profit society that works to reduce the cost and environmental impact of energy and utility services in NWT.

Executive director Rob Marshall presented the award.