Vale confirms start to underground mining at Voisey’s Bay
Work to construct sub-surface mine extension will peak in 2020
Work to extend the Vale nickel-copper-cobalt mine in Labrador into an underground operation has already begun, but with a significant ramp-up in contracting ahead.
Peter Langlois, Vale’s head of Labrador operations, said a construction camp has been established, and will be populated with workers, growing to peak in 2020.
First ore from the new mine, being established at a capital investment by Vale of about $2 billion, is expected in April 2021.
Work on the underground mine begins with the construction of three entryways, “portals,” before moving into tunneling in the fall.
The work this summer will also include establishing camp services and support, surface construction shops and the start of surface features required for the mine, including ventilation systems.
Blasting for the underground routes for the ramp — not shaft — mine is scheduled to start in October. The mine is expected to go down 700 to 900 metres.
“That’s a very big, important milestone, to blast in October,” Eduardo Bartolomeo, Vale’s executive director for base metals, told The Telegram.
Bartolomeo was asked if existing agreements with the provincial government — and the threat of penalties, without further ore processing in the province — ultimately played a part in the decision to move on the mine project.
He said it hadn’t.
“The way to convince our shareholders is to look at the positive side, not the downside,” he said, pointing to work by the company to reduce financial risks on the project following a decision to delay, and the markets suggesting good overall returns.
The development agreement guiding the extension of the mine’s life has not changed from an agreement struck in 2015, according to Premier Dwight Ball, leading the announcement of the mining project at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s on Monday.
“The oil and gas industry adds a lot to our economy, but we should never underestimate the importance of the mining industry as well,” Ball said, highlighting the roughly 6,000 mining jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Vale project will maintain employment at the mine site, but also feed Vale’s hydromet nickel-copper-cobalt processing facility in Long Harbour, offering combined employment during regular operations of 1,700 jobs.
Labrador MP Yvonne Jones was part of the provincial government of Liberal Roger Grimes when the original announcement was made for a mine at Voisey’s Bay.
“At that time there was a tremendous amount of energy and excitement around that project,” she said, “and it’s been a success.”
Jones said the announcement of new investment and extension of the mine’s life is welcomed, specifically as a good fit for the local workforce, who have developed skills and experience and a pro-mining culture over decades, with young people conscious of the opportunities available in the industry and companies comfortable working within the sector.
“And under this new development, as we go underground, I’m looking forward to seeing a lot more of that,” she said.
Jones emphasized the Indigenous partnerships expected and new benefits to communities.
Nunatsiavut Government president Johannes Lampe was in St. John’s for the announcement. He pointed to the sustained efforts by his government in job training for the mining sector and business partnerships since the Voisey’s Bay mine was started.
“Certainly, our people have been waiting for the company and the province to start looking seriously at going underground and it’s happening now,” Lampe said, adding it will benefit the Labrador Inuit, who make up more than 50 per cent of the mine workforce.
“Working in partnership, we have to have confidence and trust in the people we engage with, collaborate with, and most certainly we would like companies and the provincial government to consult with Labrador Inuit to make sure that we are involved and to make sure we know what’s going on,” he said.
A benefits agreement with Nunatsiavut gives preference in contracting to companies establishing partnerships with the Inuit government. Indigenous partnerships generally speaking will be given consideration.