Vale Canada Limited
Vale Copper Cliff North Mine planned to use a defunct stope in the lower part of the 880OB as a collection and storage area for fines and solids as part of their mine dewatering program.
This method aimed to repurpose an unusable area of the mine while ensuring effective water management. BESTECH engineered a solution that used the existing drift as a clean water sump.
SCOPE
The plan involved creating two boreholes to allow the drift to fill with water as the stope reached a designated water level. A new submersible pump was installed to transfer water from the drift to the main mine dewatering system.
BESTECH’s design included specifications for the pump, piping, a concrete wall, and a lifting device for the pump. It also incorporated essential electrical and instrumentation elements for operation.
OUTCOME
This solution created practical use for a previously inoperative stope and optimized the mine’s water management system. By effectively managing the accumulation of fines and solids, the project supported ongoing mining operations and environmental management practices, aligning with Vale’s sustainability and operational goals.