Challenges of Mining at Depth Overcome Daily at Kidd Creek
Taking ore out of the ground from a depth of 9,600 feet is a challenge.
Yet, it is one that the management and workers of the Kidd Creek base metal mine meet daily.
Located in the City of Timmins, Ontario, Kidd Operations include the Kidd Mine and Kidd Concentrator.
Kidd, owned by Glencore plc with headquarters in Switzerland, is the world’s deepest copper-zinc mine below sea level, mining at 9,600 feet with shaft bottom at 9,889 feet.
The mine also has the longest surface-to-bottom ramp in the world.
To meet the challenges of deep mining, Kidd employs a highly skilled workforce and use leading edge technology.
With a constant focus on achieving zero harm, it is committed first and foremost to safety, the development of its people, and the sustainability of its community and environment.
This year, Kidd Mine will produce an average of 40,000 tonnes of copper and 70,000 of zinc.
It transports its ore by its own railway to its Kidd Concentrator/Mill located 27km from the mine, both operations within the city.
It is the largest private-sector employer in Timmins with a workforce of approximately 1,200, including fulltime employees and contractors.
Extracting ore at 3km below the earth’s surface requires the development and application of innovative processes, methods and technologies that are unique in the global mining sector:
Cold stope system decreases temperatures at lower levels, and reduces electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Automated scoop trams increase safety and productivity.
Some of the world’s largest vent fans provide ventilation-on-demand.
One of the largest fibre optic infrastructures in Northern Ontario is used to communicate and remotely operate equipment 3km underground.
In addition, it regularly hosts and shares deep mining data with international research bodies, academics and private technology/product developers.
Glencore Canada Corporation earned the 2014 Tom Peters Memorial Reclamation Award for the closure plan design and reclamation of its Kidd Operations’ Metallurgical site jarosite pond and adjacent Three Nations Creek.
The jarosite (iron sulphate mud produced from zinc refining) pond was built in 1971 and it operated from 1972 until refining operations at the Metallurgical Site ceased in 2010.
All in all, 50 hectares were reclaimed. Rehabilitation activities included capping of the pond, removal of soils, re-vegetation and a remedial action plan for the aquatic ecosystem in Three Nations Creek.
The project was led by Glencore Canada Corporation (formerly Xstrata Copper) Closed Sites in partnership with AMEC Earth and Infrastructure.
The award was presented in June in Peterborough at the seventh annual Ontario Mine Reclamation Symposium and Field Trip organized by the CLRA and the Ontario Mining Association.
The purpose of the award is to encourage the pursuit of excellence in mine reclamation and to recognize and promote, to the mining industry and environmental community at large, outstanding achievement in the practice of mine reclamation in Ontario.
“It is a great honor to receive this award. We are proud of this accomplishment and it wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and hard work of all those involved, and their contribution to the successful execution of the project,” said John Stroiazzo, manager, reclamation and projects, Glencore Canada.
Tom Semadeni, Kidd Operations general manager, said “Kidd Operations is proud to see what the implemented remedial action plan for Three Nations Creek has accomplished over the years in terms of improved ecosystem health and water quality.
It demonstrates the commitment that we have to restoring the environment after our operations cease, and should be reassuring to all stakeholders.
Over the past three years, we have invested over $30 million in environmental risk reduction at both our mine and mill sites as we pursue continuous improvement in all areas of our operation, including health, safety, environment and community.”
Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies.
Its products include agricultural products, coal, copper, nickel, oil and zinc.
As a leading integrated producer and marketer of commodities with a well-balanced portfolio of diverse industrial assets, it is strongly positioned to capture value at every stage of the supply chain, from sourcing materials deep underground to delivering products to an international customer base.
Glencore’s industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of more than 90 offices located in over 50 countries. Its diversified operations comprise over 150 mining and metallurgical sites, offshore oil production assets, farms and agricultural facilities.
|