Vale will invest $49 million in a demonstration plant in Copper Cliff which will feature Rail-Veyor technology and offer opportunities to test safer and more efficient mining techniques and new, specialized equipment.
The project is expected to create roughly 100 jobs for the duration of the project. Completion is scheduled for the first quarter of 2013.
“The 114 Orebody Demonstration Plant is part of the $3.4 billion investment Vale announced for its Sudbury operations in November of last year,” said Alex Henderson, Vale's general manager, mines and mill technology, North Atlantic region.
Rail-Veyor is an industrial material haulage system.
Mike Romaniuk, president and CEO, Rail-Veyor Technologies (right) and Alex Henderson, Vale's general manager, mines and mill technology, North Atlantic region, pose in front of a Rail-Veyor at the Vale site on Turner Road Sept. 16. Photo By Marg Seregelyi.
The electrically-powered Rail-Veyor system operates remotely through a control centre and incorporates a light-rail track with a series of interconnected two-wheel cars capable of continuous movement.
Rail-Veyor technology will be installed at the 114 Orebody Demonstration Plant later this year – the first installation of its kind at an underground mine in North America.
The technology is currently being tested at an above-ground site near Turner Road in Sudbury.
“Today is an important step in the commercialization of the Rail-Veyor technology”, Mike Romaniuk, president and CEO of Rail-Veyor Technologies said.
“With Vale’s support and commitment to install the Rail-Veyor technology in the 114 Orebody Demonstration Plant, we look forward to advancing the commercialization of the technology in underground mines on a global basis.”
“The City of Greater Sudbury is considered to be the mining industry capital of Canada and with projects like the Rail-Veyor; we will continue to bring innovation and technology to new heights,” Mayor Marianne Matichuk said.
“Vale continues to be a key contributor to the mining industry, not only here at home, but around the world. Technology of this magnitude means sustainable income in a city where growing the job market is of the highest importance.”
