On December 4th, Interface News learned from Vale that on the 3rd, the company announced that it had completed the construction and trial operation of the expansion project of the Voiseys Bay mining area.
This expansion has transformed the Wais Bay mining area from open-pit mining to underground mining. The project involves the development of two underground mines, Reid Brook and Eastern Deeps. The nickel ore produced here will be transported to the company's Long Harbour nickel refinery for beneficiation, which is one of the lowest emission nickel beneficiation plants in the world.
The Wois Bay mining area was put into operation in 2005. The expansion project of the mining area has a production capacity of about 45000 tons of nickel per year, and its by-products include 20000 tons of copper and 2600 tons of cobalt per year. It is expected to reach full production in the second half of 2026. The completion of this project is also an important milestone for the company in improving its operational competitiveness in Canada, which will help reduce the unit cost of nickel business.