What is possibly the world’s first all-electric operation for a hardrock mine, Inco Ltd.’s Crean Hill nickel-copper mine at Sudbury, Ont., has shipped its first train load of ore to mark the beginning of production again at the 82-year-old mine. (see front page story).
What makes the mine unique of course, is that every piece of equipment underground will be electrically powered, making it one of the most technologically sophisticated operations of its kind almost anywhere in the world.
And, according to an Inco spokesman, its likely just the start of a complete transformation of the company’s mines at Sudbury to an all-electric mode. For the miners themselves, it will mean a cleaner, quieter environment. Mining costs will be lower, too, since there will be less need for expensive ventilation equipment to combat exhaust gases and heat buildup from the use of conventional diesel equipment.
Inco has been making impressive strides in improving its productivity, and Crean Hill provides an outstanding example of how this is being achieved. When the mine reaches full production in 1989, it will be capable of extracting 3,000 tons of ore per day with a productivity of 25.2 tons per manshift. Ten years ago that figure was 8.1 tons per manshift at the mine, at an even higher rate of production.
The company deserves full marks for its innovative spirit and accomplishment.
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