ARCELORMITTAL MINES CANADA
CANADA is a highly systematic operation comprised of an open-pit mine , an ore crusher and concentrator facility along with a train loading system . The mine is linked by a companyowned rail to the Port-Cartier industrial complex . Located roughly 55 kilometers from Mont-Wright is the Fire Lake mine . Because of the high demand for iron ore , the mine has become an additional deposit for the ArcelorMittal to operate at .
In 2011 , the company undertook one of the largest expansion projects in Quebec . The project , which was completed last year , entailed expanding infrastructure at the Mont-Wright mine to increase production from 16 to 24 million tons of iron ore by end of 2013 .
“ We hit the run rate of 24 million late last year in November and things look good to make 24 million again this year ,” says Steve Wood , president of ArcelorMittal Mining
Canada G . P . He continues , “ It ’ s pretty phenomenal to get those rates right after an expansion project . It ’ s an exciting time in terms of expansion and maximizing benefit of our investment .”
Part of the latest expansion involved the commissioning of new spiral lines and a concentrating plant with additional upgrades to the railway and port in Port-Cartier .
Wood believes with a few minor improvements ArcelorMittal can reach an even higher production rate . “ We can see a day where with a few minor tweaks we can go above name plate capacity ,” says Wood .
Overall , the expansion project included :
• Commission of new spirals line at concentrator
• New trucks and maintenance shop operational
• Additional rail sidings completed
• New concentrator completed
“ Our job here is to get world class levels of performance in every aspect of the business in terms of productivity , maintenance , and reliability of equipment ”
– Steve Wood , President of ArcelorMittal Mines Canada
www . arcelormittal . com 143