The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
A decade of wear and tear has the 777 Mine headframe undergoing a $500,000 upgrade. Hudbay crews recently began work to install a 'rock box' within the towering landmark. 'The constant pounding of the rock material against the metal sides of the bin has caused the metal in the bin to wear thin,' explained Richard Trudeau, manager of Hudbay's local mines. 'This project will require the installation of a rock box within the bin. Once complete, the rock material hoisted to surface will be dumped into the bin but rather than rock against metal, the hoisted rock will hit rock in the rock box. This will reduce metal wear and extend the life of the bin.' Cladding The project is expected to be completed by Sept. 30 so that the cladding on the outside of the headframe can be reinstalled before winter. Trudeau said crews have devised a plan to complete the project safely and with minimal disruption to ore production at the mine. For motorists, the most noticeable result of the project has been the absence of a section of siding on the north side of the headframe. Trudeau noted that the 777 Mine is in its 10th year of operation. During that time the mine has seen roughly 13.5 million tonnes of ore and waste rock hoisted to the surface, he said. The 777 Mine is still considered Hudbay's flagship mine, but that could change once the Lalor Mine near Snow Lake enters full production in 2015.
