MINE DEVELOPMENT
VALE UNLOCKS NEXT PHASE OF
Voisey’s Bay $1.7B investment in undergound development extends mine life to 2034 eration with local aboriginal groups, an innovative financing ne of the largest nickel deal for byproduct cobalt and deposits in the world has operational efficiencies both on been given a new lease on site and at Vale’s Newfoundlife. Vale’s Voisey’s Bay propland-based Long Harbour erty in northern Labrador, opProcessing plant provided by erating as an open pit mine engineering and project mansince 2005, was nearing the agement firm Hatch. end of its production life. Construction for this new Instead, innovations in partphase, dubbed the Voisey’s Bay nerships and technology will Mine Expansion (VBME), allow Vale to go underground began in 2016. Exploration and develop two new orebodaround the Ovoid deposit ies that will extend the life of identified two major deposVoisey’s Bay to 2034. Vale’s Voisey Bay nickel mine in northern Labrador. CREDIT: VALE its, Reid Brook and EastFirst ore production on the ern Deeps, located at depths new underground phase of from 200 metres to 900 metres Vale’s Voisey’s Bay project was announced duction phase, the development of two underground close to the current open pit on June 11, with full production capacity new underground mines – Reid Brook and Ovoid deposit. Underground mining for slated to be reached by August. Following Eastern Deeps – at the northern Labra- these two new deposits will be conducted the completion of the above ground pro- dor site was made possible through co-op- via two decline and ramp systems.
By David Keating
O
40 | CANADIAN
MINING JOURNAL
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