Huckleberry Mine Expansion
Overview
The Huckleberry Mine, located approximately 130 km south of Smithers, BC and 86 km southwest of Houston, BC, released their Main Zone Optimization Plan to extend the life of their open pit copper and molybdenum mine in 2012. With their tailings pond nearing capacity, the upgrade and expansion was essential for continued operations at the mine.
Scope of Work
Commencing in 2012, the Arthon Belvedere Joint Venture undertook a multi-year contract for the substantial portion of the construction of the Huckleberry Mine site expansion. Continuing through to the fall of 2013, the contract work included:
- Construction of a 3,800,000 m3 main tailings dam, three sediment control dams, and 2.4 km of diversion channel ditching
- 1,000,000 m3 of stripping and construction of 8 km of haul roads and access roads to the dam
- The development of an on-site quarry
- 100,000 m3 of aggregate crushing
The Huckleberry project included completing high volumes of earthworks during short work seasons.
The project involved collaboration with the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, and the establishment of a mutually beneficial strategic partnership with Belvedere Place Contracting Ltd.