The new orebody will produce approximately 500 tonnes of ore per day, or 20 million pounds of metal per year.
The narrow-vein orebody has reserves of two million tonnes, grading 7.5 per cent copper, 1 per cent nickel and .5 oz/tonne of precious metals. Development work, including 12,000 feet of lateral development and an extension of the mine’s ramp system, will commence this spring and continue to 2012. The Redpath Group was the successful bidder on the project.
Mining operations are expected to begin in 2012 and continue for 10 years. Seventy-five new jobs will be created.
“This is an orebody that is really going to fit in well with our lifetime plan here at Coleman, our strategic business plan moving forward, and keeping Coleman as one of the flagship operations here in the Ontario division,” said Kelly Strong, manager of Creighton and Coleman mines.
“We’re experiencing a growth period not seen in 30 years,” said Brian Maynard, Vice-President, Mines, Ontario Division. “We’ve increased our exploration budget steadily in the Sudbury area to support our growth strategy.
This year, we’re spending $49 million on exploration activities and strategic studies.”
The orebody, discovered in 2000, lies below the existing operation from 5300 level to 5700 level.
Two-yard loaders and one-boom jumbos will be used in mining operations, said project manager Dave Pisaric.
“This investment in Coleman’s 170 Orebody is a demonstration of Vale Inco’s ongoing commitment to growth,” said Fred Stanford, president, Ontario Operations. “We’re committed to building a profitable and sustainable future for mining in the Sudbury Basin. After more than 100 years of mining, this area continues to offer a wealth of opportunity.”
