Glencore confirms it will close Kidd Creek Mine at the end of 2026
A spokesperson for Glencore Canada said Tuesday the company will close its Kidd Creek Mine near Timmins at the end of December 2026.
Alexis Segal, head of communications for Glencore Canada, told CTV News the decision comes after a 2021 study found there was no way to extend the life of the mine.
"It's already the deepest base metal mine in the world," Segal said.
There was no way to safely and economically mine deeper, forcing Glencore to close.
The decision will affect about 600 employees, he said.
"We are conscious of the impact his decision will have on our employees," Segal added.
Their focus now, he said, is only helping workers prepare for the transition and find new roles.
A reclamation plan for the site is still being developed. It will employ a few dozen people, along with trucking and other contractors.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
The Kidd Mine operates at 9,800 feet underground, with the shaft bottom at 9,889 feet. It produces an average of 40,000 tonnes of copper and 70,000 of zinc annually.
Glencore and its predecessors have been mining the Kidd Creek copper/zinc deposits since 1966. It transitioned from an open pit to an underground mine in 1972 and has gone through several expansions since then, the latest in 2021.
A feasibility study launched that year concluded mining below 9,900 feet wasn't economically viable.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Weekend announcements narrow field of high-profile Liberal leadership prospects
As a race to elect a new Liberal leader quickly approaches, a high-profile candidate appears set to throw their hat into the ring.
Canadians' financial stress ramping up despite interest rate cuts: insolvency firm
Half of Canadians are $200 or less away from being unable to cover their monthly bills and debt payments, according to MNP Ltd.'s quarterly report on consumer debt.
BREAKING Magnitude 6.9 earthquake rattles southwestern Japan, followed by tsunami warnings
Japan Meteorological Agency reports a 6.9 magnitude quake in southwestern Japan and issues a tsunami warning.
Los Angeles wildfire death toll surges to 24 as firefighters brace for more fierce winds
After a weekend spent blocking the explosive growth of fires that destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people in the Los Angeles area, firefighters got a slight break with calmer weather but cast a wary eye on a forecast for yet more wind.
Girl, 6, dies following house fire in Lower Sackville, N.S.
A six-year-old girl has died following a house fire in Lower Sackville, N.S., over the weekend, according to an online fundraiser for her family.
Danielle Smith to answer questions about Trump meeting
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to answer questions from the media about her recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on the weekend.
'Big Brother is watching you': Collector's coin marks George Orwell's death 75 years ago
A commemorative coin featuring the image of an eye and the inscription "Big Brother is watching you" is being released to pay tribute to "Nineteen Eighty-four" author George Orwell and mark his death 75 years ago.
Biden says he was the steady hand the world needed after Trump, who's ready to shake things up again
U.S. President Joe Biden strode into the White House four years ago with a foreign policy agenda that put repairing alliances strained by four years of Republican Donald Trump's “America First” worldview front and centre.
Jeff Bezos' space company calls off debut launch of massive new rocket in final minutes of countdown
Blue Origin called off the debut launch of its massive new rocket early Monday because of technical trouble.