The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper
Blasting for open pit begins this summer
Corporate approval is all that stands in the way.
Representatives from Goldcorp Porcupine Gold Mines announced on Monday that it will commence development of the Hollinger Open Pit Mine Project following corporate approval to fund the project.
Construction is planned for the next 12 to 18 months at a cost of $75 million. Blasting is expected to start sometime this summer. The reasoning behind the 12 to 18 month timeframe is because the berm is the longest part of the construction. Construction of the haul road will start immediately.
The initial focus will be on equipment procurement, installation of the dewatering system, site clearing and stripping and the development of a five-kilometre haulage road between the Hollinger site and the Dome Mill.
The expected start date of production is scheduled for the second half of 2012.
“This is an announcement that’s been a long-time coming,” said Timmins Mayor Tom Laughren. “Goldcorp has worked very hard to make this happen. When you look at the site and what this will mean for a clean up of that site at the end of the day, I think it’ll be phenomenal for the city. When you look at the opportunity to create some new employment as well as ensure that the employment that is there now stays for the next eight to 10 years, I just think this is an all around great New Years gift for the community.”
Laughren added, “I don’t think there will be a strain on the current infrastructure of the city. I think we’re in good shape.”
Combined with Hoyle Pond and Dome underground mines, the addition of a large-tonnage ore body will complement the Porcupine operations, optimize the efficiency of the Dome Mill Complex and extend the operation’s mine life, according to Marc Lauzier, mine general manager at Goldcorp Porcupine Gold Mines.
Members of the community present for the press conference were assured that public safety should be significantly improved as the project removes hundreds of historical mine openings on the 250-acre property.
“Anyone that’s been raised around the Timmins area would know that we have subsidence issues when there’s heavy rainfall,” said Lauzier. “The fact that we can mine around those openings and backfill those openings means we can address the safety around the openings. In addition to that, it’s good news for the city when we can keep a mine open for an extra eight years.”
Goldcorp is estimating about $319 million of operating money will be spent to keep the mine operational over the next eight years. Goldcorp assured those in attendance that it will keep local suppliers. Lauzier said Goldcorp buys most of what it needs locally or through local contacts.
“The startup of the Hollinger Mine will benefit the City of Timmins and surrounding communities, both from an environmental and a socio-economic point of view,” said Lauzier. “Upon completion of the project , the property will be rehabilitated, creating numerous opportunities for the future use of this strategic parcel of land in the heart of the city. With sustained mining operations, Goldcorp will continue to employ over 600 people and several hundred contractors for many years to come.”
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