MARATHON, Ont. — More than three decades of open-pit mining are coming to an end at Barrick Gold Corporation's Hemlo mine, east of Marathon.
The company is transitioning the mine to a purely underground operation, and is scheduled to wind down the pit at the end of this month.
It was originally used to produce blasted rock for backfilling in underground stopes.
Since 1989, the pit has produced more than 2.8 million ounces of gold.
In 2002, Barrick brought in a CAT 777 truck fleet and personnel from its Nevada mines to establish the pit as a separate division.
In 2013, after the David Bell mine closed, the pit became the primary source of ore, although the Williams underground mine also continued producing.
There is now less than 200,000 tonnes of ore remaining in the pit.
In an announcement Tuesday, Barrick said most of the 70 employees in the operation will be transferred to the current underground contractor, Barminco.
The open pit crew has already worked with the contractor in digging a new portal from within the pit, which will open up new mining fronts in the underground operation and allow for more flexibility.
Last winter, Barrick signed a three-year, US$130 million underground mining contract with Australia-based Barminco's owner, Parenti.
Parenti said it would employ more than 300 people initially.
Barrick's COO for North America, Catherine Raw, said Tuesday that by repositioning and expanding Hemlo as an underground mine only, it will continue delivering benefits to area communities, employees and other stakeholders "for years to come."
The Hemlo mine's general manager, Adam Foulstone, described the last years of the mine as "very challenging" but noted the work was done with zero lost-time injuries.
The mine held a dedication ceremony last week for the new portal sign which honours long-serving employee Jim Harasym, the open pit manager.
