ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The Telegram
@StJohnsTelegram
Vale is eyeing an early July date for the resumption of routine activity at Voisey's Bay.
In a news release issued Thursday, the company stated it is moving from care and maintenance into a planned maintenance phase. This would be the first step toward resuming operations at the Labrador nickel mine, including its underground expansion project.
Most activity at the site was halted March 16 for what was initially planned to be four weeks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the company announced April 8 the care and maintenance mode would be extended for up to three months. Under this mode, less than 200 workers remained on site. Usually, there are 800 workers employed at the Voisey's Bay site.
According to the release, a private lab will assist the company with extensive testing of staff returning to work, adding there have been no cases of COVID-19 at the site to date.
"The ability to mass test is in addition to the robust screening measures currently in place and offers greater knowledge and transparency of the number of people who may have had contact with the coronavirus, allowing for immediate action and avoiding large-scale infection," the company stated in the release. "In planning to resume operations, the company consulted extensively with critical stakeholders in government, Indigenous communities and public health authorities, seeking advice and support. That engagement will continue through the process of making the testing lab operational and realizing the benefits of mass testing at site."
