INTERNATIONAL MINING PROFILES
Leaders in mine building
Voisey ’ s Bay mine site , Labrador , Canada . Photo courtesy of Vale Newfoundland & Labrador Ltd .
As the mining industry faces new challenges , our focus is on what and how to innovate using strategic thinking and technology as the key enablers . We want to partner with you from inception to precision execution , building capacity at every stage and focusing on the underlying issues , not the symptoms . Working together , we ’ ll simplify solutions by combining a deep , fundamental understanding of mine construction with a focus on safety . Our global network of 9,000 professionals work on the world ’ s toughest challenges and we draw upon our project experience spanning over 150 countries around the world .
Developing some of the most challenging mining projects in the world
The two new underground mines at Vale ’ s Voisey ’ s Bay Mine in Labrador , Canada , will together produce 40,000 t of nickel concentrate at a peak mining rate of 2.6 Mt per annum . The transition of Voisey ’ s Bay from an open pit to underground operation , requiring 30 km of underground development , will extend the life of mine to at least 2034 . The project scope also includes two 19 MW power houses , a paste fill plant , maintenance shops , ventilation fans , fuel handling , underground conveyor systems , permanent camps and all infrastructure to support the new mines at this remote site .
Our team is providing detailed engineering , project-wide automation design , and project management services for the mine expansion in a JV partnership with Sikumiut Environmental Ltd ( SEM ), an Inuit-owned , St . John ’ s-based environmental company .
One of the key strategies for the project is the integration of information technology systems used in data-centric computing and operational technology to monitor events , processes and activities . We supported the delivery of a fit-for-purpose operations management system for the development phase of the underground project , ensuring short interval control of all underground development activity .
In 2021 , the mine expansion achieved first ore production with zero lost-time injuries in over 7 million hours worked since engineering and construction began in 2016 .
We are also the engineering , procurement and construction management provider of Mosaic ’ s Esterhazy K3 Expansion Project , consisting of two new shafts with hoisting plants that will produce over 20 million tons of potash ore per year . At over 380 ft ( 116 m ), the North headframe at K3 is the tallest structure in the province of Saskatchewan , Canada . The South headframe is being constructed using pre-assembled modules , reducing schedule and cost , and increasing safety — achieving zero recordable injuries to date over the entire construction and outfitting .
The headframes each house large Koepe hoists , utilising 60-ton payload skips . The North Shaft headframe also contains an internal Blair hoist with a 27-ton payload cage . We are the engineer of record for the hoisting plants .
With worldwide expertise in the design and execution of mining projects , we enhance safety and bring cost and schedule certainty to your project .
Find out more at hatch . com .
Esterhazy K3 headframes , Saskatchewan , Canada . Photo courtesy of Mosaic Potash .
Ian Duckworth Global Director , Mining Ian . duckworth @ hatch . com
Mark Deziel North American Director , Mining Mark . Deziel @ Hatch . com
14 International Mining | AUGUST 2021