Sandvik still silent on Kirkland Lake mining vehicle plant: Electric vehicle assembly plant, research hub remains on hold.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: TEMISKAMING & REGION

Kirkland Lake still remains in the dark on whether the northeastern Ontario gold mining town will host an underground battery-powered vehicle assembly plant.

Two months after Swedish engineering and technology giant Sandvik announced the acquisition of Artisan Vehicle Systems, a corporate decision still hasn't been made whether the town fits into its plans.

Artisan was a privately-owned California manufacturer of battery-powered underground mining loaders and trucks.

In late 2017, Artisan selected Kirkland Lake to be its Canadian assembly hub for its Z-40 battery-powered haul truck to cater to its client, Kirkland Lake Gold and its Macassa Mine.

Sandvik acquired Artisan Vehicle Systems on Jan.22. The sale was finalized on Feb.l 1. The purchase price not disclosed.

Just days before the acquisition announcement, Artisan's chief technology officer confirmed to the media during a stopover in Sudbury that his company was still committed to Kirkland Lake.

Whether Sandvik is wedded to that development remains to be seen.

"We are still in an integration and development process. All decisions on our future setup haven't been made yet," said Sandvik spokesman Martin Blomgren by email, in echoing his earlier comments from January.

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