Sandvik Mining and Construction plans to close its manufacturing plant in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. The decision, it says, “follows a thorough assessment of the operation’s future financial robustness, an alignment of the global manufacturing capacity and of addressing a number of projects critical to its long-run profitability.” Currently underground hard rock mining low profile LHDs, light trucks and underground soft rock rubber tyred vehicles are made there and it has been operating since 1981. The Burlington products, related R&D and engineering will continue and will be transferred to three existing factories in China, Australia and Finland.

The factory’s decommissioning is scheduled to be finalised by the end of 2010 and affects all 114 of Sandvik’s Underground Mining employees on site. The Sandvik Burlington Plant will work closely with external support agencies and other Sandvik entities to minimise impacts to the employees located at the factory. All members of the workforce will be offered career management services and assistance in finding alternate employment within Sandvik or elsewhere.

The Sandvik Group remains a significant supplier in the North American mining industry and is committed to delivering a full lineup of Sandvik mining equipment with best-in-class quality, productivity and safety.