Vale has completed construction and commissioning of the Voisey’s Bay mine expansion project, transitioning the Canadian nickel mine from open pit to underground mining.
The project involved the development of two underground mines – Reid Brook and Eastern Deeps – which will deliver ore for processing at the company’s Long Harbour, Newfoundland, refinery. Vale said full ramp-up is expected by the second half of 2026.
“The project completion also represents a crucial milestone for enhancing the competitiveness of our Canadian operations and will contribute to reducing unit costs in the nickel business segment,” said Vale officials.
Located in northern Labrador, Voisey’s Bay entered production in 2005. The expansion project’s production capacity is around 45,000 tonnes per year of nickel with another 20,000 tpy of copper and 2,600 tpy of cobalt as by-products.
Source: Vale