Vale signs deal to start Stobie Open Pit Mining Project in Sudbury

Vale Base Metals celebrated the signing of an agreement to begin the Stobie Open Pit Mining Project in Sudbury on Wednesday.

The agreement will see the mining services company Thiess, work closely with the United Steelworkers, as well as two local Indigenous businesses, Z’Gamok Construction and Aki-eh Dibinwewziwin, to extract critical minerals from the property.

“This is a first-of-its-kind contract for Vale,” Gord Gilpin, director of Ontario Operations for Vale Base Metals, said in a news release.

“It delivers on our company’s strategy to increase production from near-surface deposits and does so with the direct participation and collaboration of two very important groups —First Nation peoples and the United Steelworkers.”

“In Thiess’ 90th year of operations, we’re excited by this opportunity to bring our technical expertise and mine engineering capability to a major Canadian mining operation, for Vale,” said Thiess CEO Michael Wright.

“Vale identified an opportunity to ensure meaningful Indigenous involvement on this project, while respecting their obligations to their USW workforce and managing the Earth’s resources in a sustainable way. We're proud to work with a client who shares our commitment to sustainable mining practices, and working with others to move forward successfully, together.”

“We look forward to continuing to partner with Vale, our Canadian First Nation partners, United Steelworkers L6500 and L2020, and the local community in Sudbury while continuing to contribute to Canada’s nickel and copper industry to provide metals that are vital to North America’s transition to clean energy,” added Darrell White, Thiess Group executive Americas.

“We are humbled by the trust and collaboration shown by the Canadian First Nation partners.”

The agreement means Thiess is working with three Canadian First Nations -- Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Wahnapitae First Nation and Sagamok Anishnawbek – “to present a full mining services proposal to Vale with meaningful First Nation participation,” the release said.

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“This project represents a great opportunity for our communities to meaningfully participate and work as true partners in generating the wealth that is extracted from our lands,” the three First Nations said in a joint statement.

“We look forward to working with Vale, Thiess, and the USW Local 6500 to generate value and jobs for our communities and the Greater Sudbury community.”

USW Local 6500 president Nick Larochelle said Steelworkers are happy to be part of the new partnership.