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The Vale Innovation Centre will be a world-class facility offering advanced exploration, engineering and related services to the mining and processing sectors globally.  |
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October 3, 2003, marked the official opening of Vale’s new Voisey’s Bay hydrometallurgical (hydromet) mini-pilot plant in Mississauga, Ontario. |
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| Structural steel in place for concentrator building at Voisey's Bay construction site. |
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| Office/warehouse at hydromet demonstration plant site, Argentia. |
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It was another year of achievement for Voisey’s Bay Nickel Company in 2003. At year-end, over 1,500 people were employed supporting construction and engineering planning on all aspects of the Voisey’s Bay project. Contract and procurement commitments made during the year exceeded $460 million, of which 90 per cent were awarded to Newfoundland and Labrador companies.
Building on the successes of 2002, we focused on strengthening our relationships with Aboriginal communities in Labrador, government and other stakeholders; completing the 2003 work plan for the mine and concentrator site in Labrador; installing preliminary infrastructure at the site of the hydromet demonstration facility at Argentia, Newfoundland; continuing the hydrometallurgical research and development program; and working with Memorial University on the development of the Vale Innovation Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland. By year-end 26 per cent of the mine and concentrator construction project was completed.
2003 Performance Highlights
Mine and Concentrator
- Construction camp expanded
- Site communications system upgraded
- Concentrator site excavated
- Began erecting structural steel for concentrator building
- Fuel storage capacity expanded
- 1,600-metre permanent airstrip completed
- 1149 people employed
- 32 per cent of workforce were Innu and Inuit
Hydromet Research and Development
- Mini-pilot plant opened in October
- Three integrated mini-pilot campaigns completed by year-end
- Refurbished offices to accommodate Argentia Project Office
- Office/warehouse at demonstration facility site constructed
- Design of residue ponds finalized
- Continued working on design of demonstration facility
- 11 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians (full-time and co-op students) gained work experience at mini-pilot facility
Innovation Centre
- Funding agreement with Memorial University finalized
- $4 million of Vale’s $20 million contribution dispersed to Memorial
- Asbestos removal and interior demolition of former Thompson Student Centre completed
- Detailed engineering completed
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