ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland The people at VOISEY'S BAY NICKEL (VBNC) have been busy awarding contracts as work gets underway to develop the tremendous resource near Nain, Labrador. The minable portion of the project contains an estimated proven reserve of 31 million tonnes grading 2.88% Ni, 1.69% Cu and 0.14% Co. VBNC's parent company, INCO LTD., estimates there are also 97 million tonnes in the indicated category and 14 million tonnes in the inferred category. Open pit production is scheduled to begin in 2006, and underground production is slated for 2018.
Late in May, VBNC awarded five contracts to local businesses. The contract for catering and housekeeping services went to LABRADOR CATERING, a joint venture between Innu Development and East Coast Catering. The general site services contract was awarded to TORNGAIT SERVICES, a joint venture of Labrador Inuit Development and Frontec Ltd. ASC INNU SECURITY, a joint venture of Innu Security and Atlantic Safety Centre, has won the contract for site security. The surveying contract went to AMAGUK CONSTRUCTION, a joint venture of Parrot Surveys, Webb Ltd., and Oakland Construction. The contract for quality assurance and lab testing was awarded to MINASKUAT, a joint venture between Innu Environment and Jacques Whitford Environment; sub-contract services will be supplied by Sikumiut Environmental.
Earlier this month the civil construction and fixed-wing air transport contracts were awarded. IKC/BOREALIS, a joint venture of Innu Development, Peter Kiewit Canada, Labrador Construction, H.J. O'Connell, and Torngait Services, will undertake construction at the site. The transportation contract went to INNU MIKUN AIRLINES, again, a joint venture of Innu Development and Provincial Airlines.
Much work remains to get Voisey's Bay up and running three years from now. Check the VBNC web site at www.vbnc.com for employment opportunities (although none were available this week).
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