FLIN FLON — Flin Flon’s flagship mine, now finished its lifespan, is finished - and parts of other operations aren't far from the same.
Hudbay has advanced its efforts to close off the 777 mine site, filling the mine’s portal and removing key infrastructure. The company claims that closure efforts at 777 mine are almost complete, with several final tasks relating to the closure either finished or nearing the end.
“Closure activities of the Flin Flon operations, which commenced in the second quarter, are essentially complete at the 777 mine with filling of the portal, removal of hoist ropes and conveyances in the shaft and securing of the headframe in August,” reads an update from a Hudbay spokesperson provided August 22.
The shutdown of other Flin Flon area facilities is also ongoing, with efforts to shut down the Flin Flon mill and zinc plant continuing. The closure of those facilities is likely to wrap up in the coming weeks, likely in early September, while portions of the Flin Flon mill will be used to assist with the company’s tailings facility temporarily before the mill itself is closed.
“The closure of the zinc plant is ahead of schedule, with the majority of activities complete and minor clean-up activities to be done in early September,” reads a statement from the Hudbay spokesperson.
“The rod and ball mills at Flin Flon mill are now in a state of care and maintenance and the plan is to operate the lime plant to support water management activities for the tailings facility into the fall.”
Hudbay conducted its final blast at 777 mine in June, then shut down operations at the mine days later, followed by processing that final ore later in the month. The company has also moved workers from its Flin Flon operations to operations near Snow Lake, like Lalor mine and the New Britannia mill. Equipment has also been either moved down the highway to Snow Lake from 777 and Flin Flon or will be sold at auction next month.
Not all of Hudbay’s Flin Flon operations are closing. The company will keep its tailings facility on care and maintenance, both to provide a back-up plan in case facilities in Flin Flon kick back up and to fulfill the company’s own environmental obligations to the site. A very small number of workers - around 50, according to former company estimates - will be stationed at the Flin Flon tailings facility, while some administrative and machine shop jobs will be based out of Flin Flon facilities.
