FNX Mining (FNX-T) and joint venture partner Dynatec (DY-T) are breathing new life into the Levack no.2 shaft, 40 km north of Sudbury, Ont.
After standing idle for five years the Levack no.2 shaft, headframe and hoisting plant will be bustling with activity as the Sudbury joint venture partners work on rehabilitating the underground mine in order to explore for additional nickel and copper resources.
The joint venture and Inco (N-T) have signed a surface rights and services agreement for the Levack mine area. Included in the deal is the supply of utilities and general surface services.
Since 1999, the 1,200-metre shaft has been kept dry and has been pumped out to the 2600 level.
FNX has drilled the 1300, 1900, #3 and #7 deposits of the Levack mine area from surface and now wants to glean more information from underground.
As at September of last year, the property hosts an estimated measured and indicated resource of 5 million tonnes grading 1.9% nickel and 0.9% copper.
The joint venture intends to drill deposits from several past-production levels, as the rehabilitation of the shaft advances and the levels themselves are rehabilitated. The complete rehabilitation of the shaft is expected to cost $8 million and is scheduled for some time in the third quarter of next year.
On November 1, surface work was suspended because of elevated carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide coming from the Levack shaft (the McCreedy West mine is joined with the Levack mine at the 1600 level). Gas levels returned to normal a few days later and surface work resumed.
FNX holds 75% of the Sudbury joint venture, while Dynatec owns 25%.
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