NICKEL: Vale pulls puts Birchtree mine on care and maintenance

MANITOBA – Owner Vale Canada has put the Birchtree underground nickel-copper mine at Thompson on care and maintenance. The first C-and-M shift was Oct. 2, 2017. Sept. 27 was the last day of mucking, and the last hoisting day was Sept. 30. The last day of September was marked by a ceremonial last truck of ore exiting Birchtree. About 60 employees are expected to work on asset recovery until November, and then the C-and-M status becomes official on Dec. 31. Going forward, only six employees will be assigned to the site. Vale’s Canadian website is at www.Vale.com/canada.