OMA member plans to put graphite back into Ontario’s mineral mix

Ontario Mining Association member Ontario Graphite is planning on putting its namesake substance back into the mineral mix of products being turned out by the province's mining industry.  Ellerton Castor, Chief Financial Office and Chief Administrative Officer of Ontario Graphite, expects production from the company's Kearney Mine to begin before the end of the year.  The mine anticipates producing 20,000 tonnes of large-flake, high-carbon graphite concentrate annually from the processing of about one million tonnes of ore.

All governmental permits have been approved and the company has the green light to begin operations.  "The Ontario Ministry of the Environment's decision to grant the remaining permits and approvals for this project marks a critical turning point towards beginning production at the Kearney Mine," said Jerry Janik, General Manager for Ontario Graphite.  "This milestone reflects our company's strong commitment to the responsible re-commissioning of the mine site, with a particular focus on environmental sustainability." 

The mine will recycle 85% of the water from the mine in the milling stage.  Also, non-graphite bearing rock on the property will be re-used as aggregate for construction projects by others in the region.

The operation plans on providing 80 full-time direct jobs, which holds the potential for more than twice as many spin-off jobs.  The Kearney Mine originally opened in 1989 but then closed in 1994.  Since then, it has been kept on a care-and-maintenance basis meeting all environmental and regulatory requirements.  New ownership and management took over the property in 2007.  Upon re-opening, there is an anticipated mine life of 30 years.