Mark Pootoolik, left, and Ernest Akerolik are 50-tonne truck operators and scoop replacement operators at the Meliadine underground mine. photo courtesy of Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.
Construction budgets peaked in 2018 for Meliadine and Amaruq, Agnico Eagle's next two Kivalliq gold mines.
Four seasons of the year, from the land, water and air, work has been ongoing to prepare the future Amaruq and Meliadine gold mines for operations in 2019. photo courtesy of Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.
Nearly $400 million (U.S.) was allocated for Meliadine this year while Amaruq construction rang in at $175 million.
In order to erect the needed infrastructure and be in position for production next year, huge volumes of supplies are required. This summer's sealift brought 132,000 cubic metres of cargo to Meliadine. It took 6.5 sealift vessels to achieve the task. Among the items were 50,000 cubic metres of construction materials, 30,000 cubic metres of concrete and 12,000 cubic metres of reagent, a substance used in chemical reactions.
Another 128,000 cubic metres of supplies were required at Meadowbank, including materials to advance Amaruq construction.
The Whale Tail underground deposit at the Amaruq project, 65 km north of Meadowbank by road, is on pace to produce gold for Agnico Eagle by the third quarter of 2019, according to the company's vice-president of Nunavut operations. photo courtesy of Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.The grinding mill inside the new processing plant at the Meliadine mine, 25 km north of Rankin Inlet. The mill is used to further break down ore into smaller pieces that can be sorted or processed. photo courtesy of Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.The paste backfill plant under construction in September at the Meliadine mine. The plant will be used to treat mining byproducts such as tailings. photo courtesy of Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.Mark Pootoolik, left, and Ernest Akerolik are 50-tonne truck operators and scoop replacement operators at the Meliadine underground mine. photo courtesy of Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.An aerial view of the Meliadine gold mine, which is expected to churn out gold as of the second quarter of 2019. photo courtesy of Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.
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