The Ontario Mining Association says its member Vale plans to invest C$3.4 billion in the province over the next five years, which will boost the economy and enhance the environment. The planned investments will open new nickel-copper mines, upgrade metal processing facilities and reduce atmospheric emissions.“The investment program we are pursuing is an indicator of the bright future we see for Vale in Canada,” said Tito Martins, Chief Executive Officer of Vale Canada and Executive Director Base Metals for parent company Vale. “These investments represent an important building block for the future of our Canadian operations. The dollars invested here will improve environmental performance, unlock new market opportunities, increase efficiencies and strengthen our global competitiveness for years to come.”The specifics of the plans see C$200 million being spent to upgrade the Clarabelle Mill in Sudbury. Engineering work is underway and the project is expected to be completed by 2012. The company continues to work towards completing its C$360 million investment in the Totten mine, west of Sudbury. Nickel production is scheduled to begin in late 2011 and this new mine has an anticipated life of 20 years and will employ about 130 people.
Vale’s Atmospheric Emissions Reduction (AER) project will cut sulphur dioxide emissions by more than 80% from current levels. The cost of this project, which is perhaps the most significant environmental investment contemplated in the Sudbury Basin, will be C$1.5 billion to C$2 billion.
The AER project is going through feasibility studies and construction is planned to start in 2012 and be completed by 2015. This massive project will have a range of 800 to 2,000 workers on site at various times.
In 2011 alone, more than C$50 million will be invested in mining studies and exploration in the Sudbury Basin. Further work is being carried out on the Copper Cliff Deep project, the Creighton mine, where nickel-copper ore has been identified down to a depth of 3,000 m, and on a number of potential near-surface low-grade deposits. Plans to boost copper production will involve further studies of the Victor and Capre properties in Sudbury.
Vale’s offices in Toronto have expanded to become the headquarters for Vale’s global base metals business. “Canada has much to officer Vale and Vale has much to offer Canada,” said Martins. “We plan on being here for a long time and leading the industry in embracing and succeeding in the new global economy. Vale is committed to becoming the biggest and best mining company in the world and Canada has an important role to play in that effort.”