[SMM Nickel Market Flash] Glencore Hits First Ore at Onaping Depth in Sudbury; Full Production Targeted for 2027
Glencore marked first ore and shaft completion at its Onaping Depth nickel-copper project in Sudbury, Ontario at an August 27 event, according to Canadian media. The shaft was driven from the bottom of the former Craig Mine and now connects surface to the orebody about 2,600 m down, the deepest Glencore has gone in Sudbury; first stopes are prepared and ore can be extracted for the first time. Sudbury INO vice-president Zachary Mayer called these steps towards ramp-up and project completion in 2027. Representing about C$2bn of investment since construction began in 2019, the mine is expected to produce 1m t/yr of ore and, over its life, 280 kt of nickel and 145 kt of copper, extending Sudbury Basin nickel output beyond 2040 with around 400 permanent jobs.