Fifteen Years Ago / November 1988

Inco sinks cash into Manitoba

Still under fire for a recapitalization plan designed to fend off a hostile takeover, Inco is setting aside $100 million to sustain production in its Manitoba division. Over the next several years, Inco says it will develop a new open-pit nickel mine at its Thompson, Man., operations which last year produced 130 million lbs. or 28% of the company’s worldwide nickel output.

As part of a plan to maintain its position as the world’s biggest nickel miner, Inco will also reopen the old Birchtree mine, near Thompson, which was mothballed in 1977 after producing 300 million lbs. nickel.

Hollinger landmark brought down

The old central headframe of the Hollinger Consolidated gold mine, now owned by Giant Yellowknife Mines, was blasted, tied up with cables, and pulled down.

It took seven hours to bring the 74-year-old Timmins landmark tumbling to the ground.

The reason for the destruction is to allow Giant Yellowknife to mine some ore of reasonable grade that sits below the former landmark.

Five years left at Nanisivik

With the sun retreating from sight almost completely and temperatures plunging to as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius, it’s difficult to imagine a harsher winter setting. But here on the rocky north shore of Baffin Island, surrounded by rolling hills and snow drifts, a mining settlement is thriving.

Nanisivik, one of the northernmost mines in the world and home for roughly 350 men, women, and children, is in its 12th year of zinc production (small amounts of lead and silver are also produced). And mine-planners say at least five more are virtually assured.