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Issue link: https://emj.epubxp.com/i/131325
O P E R AT I N G S T R AT E G I E S Logistical Solutions for Remote Sites: Meeting the Need for Access, Comfort and Convenience As winter loosens its grip on the more temperate regions of the globe, it's sometimes hard to remember that cold and harsh weather conditions persist in the upper reaches of the Northern Hemisphere—and are just over the horizon for some high-elevation areas of the Southern. Mining and logistical supply activities in cold, harsh climates are affected more severely by bad weather, and for longer periods of time, than elsewhere and successful operations tend to involve a combination of adaptability to changing conditions, foreshortened planning and scheduling horizons and occasionally, luck. Working under these circumstances can stress equipment and workers to the point of reduced productivity. Successful companies are cognizant of this risk and take steps to improve the comfort levels of both man and machine. Two of the most vital considerations for isolated mines and camps are how to reliably supply these remote sites with fuel and materials, and how to keep workers happy and healthy during long periods away from the amenities of home. Recent reports and studies on both of these as- pects seem to verify that finding effective solutions requires hard work, careful thought and ingenuity. Ice is the Answer For a number of far-northern operations, ice roads are the principal lifeline for bringing in bulk quantities of needed supplies. In Canada, for example, a joint venture involving several diamond mines each year builds and manages what is probably the world's longest heavy-haul ice road, which stretches 600 km (360 miles) into the northern tundra—a region served by no other highways and for 10 months of the year accessible only by air. The Tibbitt to Contwoyto winter road, made famous by the Ice Road Truckers TV series, begins east of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and winds north, terminating near the Diavik diamond mine, jointly owned by Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. (60%), a subsidiary of Rio Tinto; and Harry Winston Diamond Limited Partnership (40%). The road also serves De Beers Canada's Snap Lake and Gahcho Kué mines and BHP Billiton Diamonds' Ekati mine. A number of far-northern mining and exploration operations depend on ice roads as the main method of supplying bulk quantities of crucial materials. Shown here is a stretch of the Tibbitt to Contwoyto winter road, which begins east of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, and winds north, terminating near the Diavik diamond mine. 138 E&MJ; • APRIL 2013 The ice road has, since 1998, annually been built and maintained by Nuna Winter Road Services, the division of mining services and logistics supplier Nuna Group that specializes in ice-road and ice-airstrip construction. The vast majority of the road (85%) is constructed over frozen lakes connected by 65 land portages. Currently in its 32nd year of operations, the ice road is open for approximately 10 weeks each winter. Earlier this year, Diavik began its annual mine resupply effort and expected to transport approximately 3,500 loads of fuel, cement and other supplies up the 2013 winter road. The winter road had opened January 30 to initial light loads. As a result of the coldest winter in 20 years—with local daily mean temperatures averaging -16°F (-27°C) over the previous two months—the opening-day ice layer of 86 cm (34 in.) was 15 cm (6 in.) thicker than normal. On February 1, load counts increased to standard frequency levels (four trucks dispatched at 20-minute intervals) and the road was expected to reach full load weight capacity, which requires 1.04 m (41 in.) of ice, fairly quickly. The three diamond mines, and various exploration companies, expect to transport approximately 7,500 loads northbound over the 2013 winter road. The largest single commodity shipped is diesel fuel. The weather doesn't always cooperate with ice-road users, however. CBC News reported in late February that above-average temperatures in Alberta this winter were putting an ice road that connects Fort Chipewyan to Fort McMurray in peril, threatening to cut the northern community off from the rest of Alberta. Although the road is usually busy with truck traffic this time of year, warm weather had taken its toll, closing the route to heavy loads during the day. The community may have to rely more heavily on supplies flown in to Fort Chipewyan, with at least one aviation company considering shipping in twice as much cargo, the news service reported. Warmer than anticipated weather isn't causing problems just in Canada's North. www.e-mj.com