Levack Complex
Operation Overview
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The 100% owned McCreedy West Mine has the potential to produce from within the same underground infrastructure both copper-precious metal Footwall ore and nickel-copper Contact ore. In 2009 and for 2010, operational plans call only for production of copper-precious metal Footwall ore from bulk mining of the PM Deposit and selective mining of the high grade 700 Deposit. Late in 2008, all primary nickel Contact ore production was suspended from the Inter Main Deposit, however limited development work on the primary nickel stopes was completed late in 2009 and into early 2010 in preparation for the eventual re-start of primary nickel Contact production; when the price of nickel and its supply and demand fundamentals are sustainable.
Mining Methods:
The mining methods employed at McCreedy West Mine are dictated by the specific ore body geometry and the need to minimize waste rock dilution. All McCreedy West deposits are accessed from surface via a main decline which is currently developed below the 1900 Level. The main decline continues to be driven deeper to access the lower portion of the PM Deposit. Ore is removed from the stopes to drawpoints using mechanized LHD units and then loaded into ore trucks for haulage up the decline to surface. Primary nickel Contact ore is either hauled to surface on the decline or dumped into an ore pass located above the 1600 Level for loading and rail transport in 18 ton rail cars 6,700 ft along the 1600 Level to the Levack Mine. Upon arrival at the Levack Mine, the ore is dumped into an ore pass feeding a primary underground crusher leading to a 2825 Level loading pocket and subsequently hoisted to surface up the Levack No. 2 Shaft.
Once ore is brought to surface at McCreedy West or Levack Mines, it is further crushed, run through a sample tower and loaded onto ore trucks for transport to the Clarabelle Mill. At that point ownership of the ore passes to Vale Inco and the ore is subsequently milled, smelted, refined and sold.