Glencore Onaping Depth project to rely on electric vehicles
Work is progressing on Glencore's Onaping Depth Project, a new ore body deep underground that will replace two other mines coming to the end of production.
A local firm will be supplying some of the many battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that will be used in the deep mining project.
Glencore says the first ore from the project is anticipated in 2024.
“We are in the shaft-sinking phase of the project (and) we should get to the end of July to the first underground station at depth with a total of three stations to develop,” said Peter Xavier, Glencore Vice-President.
"The shaft-sinking portion will take us to about mid next year and then we will start to … basically build the mine."
Onaping Depth is an ore body that was discovered decades ago, located below the former Craig Mine, which closed in 2009.
In developing the project, Glencore will be using new infrastructure to access deeper parts of the ore body. Once development of the shaft begins, the project will be completely powered by BEVs.
“Everything from … drilling to ground support to your mucking and hauling type of equipment," Xavier said.
"Plus all of your ancillary equipment for explosive loading, material loading, personnel movement, graders… When you add up all of those, it's quite a few units."
One of the mobile equipment suppliers is MacLean Engineering. While the vehicles will be manufactured at the company's southern Ontario locations, there will be a large impact on the local economy because the company has a service and support branch just outside of Lively.
Stella Holloway, VP of northern operations of Mclean Engineering, said they employ about 180 people. Locally, they employ people such as field service technicians and trainers.
“Right now we are standing in our Magill facility," Holloway said.
"We have an underground test mine and in this test mine we will have a full-on training program for Glencore. So they’ll be able to send their technicians here to get hands-on experience to battery electric equipment as well as work with some of our product experts on transitioning them over to battery electric equipment."
The project has a budget of $1.3 billion and it’s anticipated that it will provide a significant new source of high-grade nickel ore beyond 2035.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Key mediator Qatar urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a cease-fire deal
A senior Qatari official has urged Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in ceasefire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds to reach a deal that would free some Israeli hostages and bring a ceasefire in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.
BREAKING Quebec to invest $603 million to protect the French language
Quebec will invest $603 million over five years to counter the decline of French in the province, French Language Minister Jean-Francois Roberge announced Sunday.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Murder charge laid after man falls to death from Toronto apartment balcony
One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.