Around the North

Citing volatile market conditions and cost challenges, Vale announced today that it plans to move to a single-furnace operation at its Copper Cliff smelter in Sudbury.

Thunder Bay International Airport posted a new record for passenger volume in 2012. The airport reports 761,300 passengers passed through the terminal last year, a 5.8 per cent increase over the previous year.

Foundation Resources , a Vancouver junior miner, has signed an agreement with the Wahgoshig First Nation as part of its acquisition of Sheltered Oak Resources . In a Jan.

Former Sudbury Inco boss Mark Cutifani has been anointed as the new chief executive for Anglo American . The move becomes official on April 3. He replaces Cynthia Carroll, who will leave the company at the end of that month.

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli wants feedback on the future of the New Liskeard Agricultural Research Station. In a Jan.

The Ontario and Canadian governments are providing Elliot Lake with funds to help develop its new mall, dubbed Pearson Plaza.

Rubicon Minerals has appointed a new vice president of operations and hired a new director of investor relations.

The official tourism guide for the City of Thunder Bay is out and available in both digital and print editions.

Osisko Mining announced Dec. 28 of the successful completion of a plan of arrangement on its acquisition of Queenston . Osisko has acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Queenston Mining.

Liberty Mines , a Toronto-based mid-tier nickel miner, announced Dec. 31 it was extending the maturity date for two loan and restructuring agreements signed with Jien International Investment Ltd. to March 14, 2014.