Doug Ford was in Sudbury Aug. 27 to celebrate the start of production at Glencore Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations’ (Sudbury INO) Onaping Depth project.
The premier said it would play a significant role in helping Ontario become a global supplier of high-grade nickel.
The $1.8-billion Onaping Depth nickel project goes 2.6 kilometres underground, below Glencore Sudbury's Craig Mine, located about an hour northwest of Sudbury.
Anticipated to be in operation until at least 2040, Onaping Depth is expected to produce one million tonnes of ore per year, and over its lifespan, expected to produce 280 kilotonnes of nickel and 145 kilotonnes of copper.
About 7,000 jobs were created during construction, and 400 jobs will be created once the operation reaches full production in 2027.
“This new deposit will provide a significant source of nickel ore beyond 2040, strengthening Ontario's advantage as a global supplier of high-grade nickel the world needs,” Ford said to a crowd of dignitaries, employees, and other representatives.
“And guess who else needs it? President Trump needs it desperately.
“Despite the challenges we face from south of the border, I've never been more optimistic about our future because we have everything we need to protect Ontario right here at home. We have the resources, we have the talent, the knowledge, and the world-class workers to stand up at any time and win any fight.”
Ford tempered his criticism of Trump from earlier comments, but made it clear that his government would “not spare a penny” to fight the economic impact of trade tariffs, protect jobs and make Ontario prosperous over the long term.
“To unlock our full potential, we need to speed up approvals, get shovels in the ground on infrastructure and resource projects, lower taxes and fees, and build the most competitive, resilient, self-reliant country at G7.”
Ford was joined by Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce, Northern Development Minister George Pirie, Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe, Sudbury MPP Jamie West and Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas, Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre, and Ontario Mining Association president Priya Tandon.
Zachary Mayer, Glencore Sudbury INO's vice-president, noted that, in addition to celebrating the start of first production, the company was also marking the completion of the mine shaft and the development of accesses into the ore body.
The shaft has been built from the bottom of the old Craig Mine and now fully connects to the Onaping Depth deposit, he noted. The company has also prepared the first mining areas for stopes, which means they're able to extract ore from that area for the first time.
“These are critical steps towards production ramp-up and eventual project completion in 2027,” Mayer said.
“The scale of this achievement is remarkable. With bottoming depth, we have dug deeper than ever before in Sudbury, approximately 2,600 metres below surface, which is roughly equivalent to stacking five CN towers on top of each other.
“This is a technological feat, but it's also a human issue. It reflects millions of hours of work by thousands of employees, contractors, suppliers, and business partners.”
Onaping will be one of the most technologically advanced mines in the region, with all-electric vehicles underground, including some autonomous vehicles, reducing heat, noise and particulates, Mayer noted. This also reduces the energy required for ventilation and cooling, which Mayer called an “important environmental and operational advantage.”
In addition, Onaping Depth is using real-time remote management, monitoring and control from surface, which helps reduce worker exposure to hazardous areas, “helping us improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability,” Mayer said.
After ore is processed and the metals are extracted, tailings will be sent back underground to be used as paste backfill, which Mayer said reduces the mine's footprint and, ultimately, its impact to the environment.
“Sudbury's mining story is well over 100 years old, but today we are demonstrating that the future is just as strong,” Mayer said. “We look forward to working together safely and successfully as we quickly advance towards project completion.”
Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre lauded Sudbury as a mining powerhouse, with nine operating mines, five processing facilities, and another six projects in the works throughout the city.
“This project today shows us what is possible when we invest in unlocking the full potential for the Sudbury region,” Lefebvre said. “Onaping Depth is taking us deeper into the basin to unlock resources that will support the community and this province for decades to come.
“As we work and continue unlocking the potential that surrounds us through exploration, mining, processing, innovation, advanced manufacturing, and the skilled workforce that makes all of this possible, we can ensure that the jobs, businesses, and expertise that come to Sudbury stay and grow here right in Northern Ontario.”
