Glencore hits record depth in Sudbury with all-electric nickel project
The Onaping Depth Project achieves critical shaft completion, enabling access to high-grade ore 2,600 meters underground.
Glencore Canada has achieved two primary milestones at its Onaping Depth Project in Sudbury, Ontario, marking a significant leap in deep-mining capabilities. The company has completed the mine shaft extending from the former Craig Mine, establishing full surface-to-ore body connectivity and granting first-time access to a high-grade nickel and copper deposit.
Located nearly 2,600 meters below the surface, the project is the deepest ever dug in the Sudbury region. To manage the extreme environment, Glencore is deploying an all-battery electric vehicle fleet, which includes 23 machines from Epiroc, specifically featuring Scooptram ST14 SG loaders. The operation also integrates remote management and automation technologies to maintain safety and efficiency at these depths. According to Peter Xavier, Chief Operating Officer of Glencore Canada Metals, the ability to operate at this depth is a direct result of investments in battery electric equipment and remote operations.
The Path to Production
The Onaping Depth deposit was first discovered in 1994, but the extreme depth rendered it economically unfeasible for decades. Now integrated into Glencore's Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations (SINO)—which encompasses a mine, mill, and smelter—the project represents a nearly $2 billion private sector investment in the Craig Mine. This strategic expansion is designed to secure the production of nickel within the Sudbury Basin well beyond 2035, with some government sources indicating a timeline extending past 2040.
Industry Implications
The project serves as a critical proof-of-concept for the viability of all-electric deep mining. By eliminating diesel engines, Glencore significantly reduces the need for the massive, energy-intensive ventilation systems typically required to clear toxic fumes from 2.6 kilometers underground. Beyond the technical achievement, the project strengthens Canada's role as a primary supplier of copper and nickel, both of which are essential critical minerals for the global energy transition and the manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries.
Next Steps
Glencore expects the project to reach full completion and a total production ramp-up by 2027. As the site moves toward full-scale operations, the industry will be watching the long-term performance of the Epiroc electric fleet under the extreme pressure and heat of the Sudbury Basin's deepest reaches.