Vale Clarabelle Mine

Project Overview

As part of a major upgrade to the crusher grinding circuit at the Vale Clarabelle Mine in Sudbury, Ontario, Delsan-A.I.M. was contracted to remove the elevated 24BC13 conveyor and its enclosing steel-framed gallery. The 780-foot conveyor system connected the Crusher Building to the Fine Ore Building and was supported by six (6) steel-lattice bent frames and an intermediary tower.

The project required dismantling the conveyor and gallery while maintaining the integrity of the bent frames and tower for reuse in the new conveyor installation. Operations were carried out in a restrictive area within an active facility, adjacent to live equipment and critical infrastructures, requiring specialized planning, engineering, and protection measures.

Scope of Work

The conveyor gallery, measuring 9’-6” by 12’-2” and reaching 120 feet at its highest point, was constructed of precast concrete roof slabs, reinforced concrete flooring, terra-cotta and corrugated translucent wall panels, and steel framing. The combined gallery and conveyor equipment weighed approximately 2,500 lbs. per linear foot.

Scope included:

• Asbestos-containing material (ACM) abatement and pre-cleaning of equipment.
• Tracing and disconnection of all conveyor-related services.
• Salvaging of selected equipment for the client.
• Structural reinforcement and installation of custom-engineered lifting beams.
• Separation of spans into pre-defined lifting sections.
• Tandem crane lifts of up to 300,000 lbs. using 400 and 550-tonne all-terrain cranes.
• Mechanical demolition of near-grade spans using 50-tonne excavators.
• Selective torch-cutting and mechanical removal of conveyor sections within the Crusher and Fine Ore Buildings.

Execution and Technical Approach

To meet the client’s accelerated timeline, Delsan-A.I.M. operated on a 12-hour shift, 7-days per week, with two crews working a 4-day rotation, reaching a workforce of 35 at peak.

Engineering & Safety Measures

• Installation of protection over occupied buildings, transformers, and an operational gas line.
• Lateral cable bracing and tie-down blocks to stabilize bent frames.
• Custom-engineered disposal bins hoisted with two cranes for debris containment.

Critical Lifting Operations

• Tandem engineered lifts of eight (8) gallery spans, ranging from 70–100 feet long, with the heaviest exceeding 300,000 lbs.
• Use of a diverse fleet of cranes, including 45 and 65-tonne boom trucks, and all-terrain cranes up to 550 tonnes.
• Access provided by telescopic boom lifts up to 150 feet, as well as vertical mast lifts for interior works.

Material Processing and On-Site Recycling

• Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM): 30 yd³ (0% recycled)
• Construction & Demolition Waste: 280 yd³ (0% recycled)
• Concrete: 760 yd³ (100% recycled)
• Scrap Metal: 1,240 yd³ (100% recycled)

Project Completion and Results

The project was completed safely, on time, and within budget, meeting the accelerated two-month deadline despite a challenging work environment.

Key Results

• Maintained the integrity of all bent frames and tower for reuse.
• Safely executed critical lifts in a restrictive area with no health and safety incidents.
• Achieved full recycling of concrete and scrap, maximizing material recovery.
• Successfully coordinated demolition activities adjacent to live and sensitive infrastructures.

This project highlights Delsan-A.I.M.’s ability to execute highly complex, engineered demolition operations in active industrial settings while upholding safety, environmental, and client objectives.