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Vale's Coleman Mine marks 50 years in operation

Sudbury 'flagship' asset home to some of company’s richest orebodies
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Vale's Coleman Mine in Sudbury marked 50 years in operation on Dec. 10, 2020. (Supplied photo/Vale)

Vale marked the 50th year in operation of its Sudbury-area Coleman Mine on Dec. 10.

Described as the nickel miner’s “flagship” asset, Coleman went into production in 1970, and has undergone several expansions over the years.

“After 50 years of operations, we have a lot to reflect on,” Coleman Mine manager Brent Salem said in a news release.

“Coleman Mine has become the flagship of Vale’s Sudbury operations over the years through the hard work and dedication of our employees.”

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The company said the mine, located in the community of Levack about 45 kilometres northwest of Sudbury, has also been home to new technologies, including the first electric haul vehicles in Vale’s Sudbury operations and the installation of an underground 4G LTE network.

“The men and women that work at Coleman Mine have a lot to be proud of,” Salem said. “There is a culture of safety here where everyone cares for one another and that’s critically important to our success. Our employees are our most important asset.”

About 545 people work at the mine.

Within the Sudbury basin, Vale operates five mines, a mill, a smelter, and a refinery, which together employ 4,000 people.

The company's products include nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum group metals, gold and silver.