Sudbury major miners team up on joint study to share infrastructure, access nickel deposit: Vale and Glencore announce agreement to look into resource accessibility from Nickel Rim South Mine.

• Position: SUDBURY - Vale Inco Ltd. Ontario Div and - Brief article

Sudbury's two major mining companies are jointly studying if they can access nearby resources from an active mine, northeast of the city, to extend its operating life.

Vale and Glencore announced on Dec. 4 they have initiated a feasibility study to explore the possibility of mining resources from the existing workings of Glencore's Nickel Rim South Mine.

The study will examine the economic and technical aspects of using the existing shaft and infrastructure at the mine, as well as additional underground infrastructure, to potentially jointly develop and mine deposits in close proximity to each other.

This includes Vale's Victor property and a shared deposit which exists adjacent to the boundary between each company's properties.

"A joint approach could allow for resources to be unlocked that would likely not otherwise be productive," said Ricus Grimbeek, chief operating officer for Vale's North Atlantic Operations and Asian Refineries, in a news release.

Among the other benefits is job creation, Grimbeek added.

This feasibility study comes at a time when the economic outlook for nickel and copper looks promising.

Currently, Nickel Rim South is slated to close in 2022.

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