Name of the Project
Voisey’s Bay underground mine expansion (VBME) project.

Location
The project is located in Labrador, Canada.

Project Owner/s
Vale.

Project Description
The project will extend the operational life of Voisey’s Bay, currently an openpit mine, from 2023 to 2034.

The mine has total estimated mineral reserves of 32.4-million tonnes, with a nickel grade of 2.13% and a cobalt grade of 0.13%. The openpit reserves and resources comprise the Main Ovoid, the Mini Ovoid and the SE Extension. The underground reserves and resources comprise Reid Brook and Eastern Deeps. Of the total estimated mineral reserves, the underground reserves contain 23.6-million tonnes, with a nickel grade of 2.17% and cobalt grade of 0.14%.

A feasibility study was completed in early 2015 to expand Voisey’s Bay operations underground to mine the Reid Brook and Eastern Deeps deposits through two decline and ramp systems.

The scope of the project includes underground development to access the two deposits; fresh and return air fans; increased power generation and fuel storage; expansion of accommodation, offices, warehousing and maintenance facilities; upgrades to water and sewage treatment facilities; and paste backfill and shotcrete plants.

The underground mines will produce 40 000 t/y of nickel in concentrate at a peak production rate of 2.6-million tonnes a year.

As a brownfield project, the mine expansion will use the existing concentrator, port and support facilities, as well as the Long Harbour processing plant, leading to reduced implementation risks.

Potential Job Creation
The expansion project will create 16 000 person years of employment during the five-year construction period, peaking at 4 800 in 2020. Once operational, 1 700 jobs will be created at the underground mine and the Long Harbour processing plant.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Total capital expenditure is estimated at about $1.7-billion: $100-million to $150-million in 2018, $300-million to $350-million in 2019, $450-million to $500-million in 2020 and 2021, $150-million to $200-million in 2022, and less than $50-million in 2023.

Planned Start/End Date
The first full year of underground production is expected to be 2021, when current openpit mining begins to ramp down.

Latest Developments
The Voisey’s Bay mine expansion project has marked a key milestone with the production of first ore.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Vale, email reception@vale.com.