Aecon has been awarded an $85-million contract for site preparation and foundation construction for Vale’s Clean Atmospheric Emissions Reduction (AER) project in Sudbury.

Aecon’s work will mark the first phase of the $2-billion, three-year project, which is expected to reduce Vale’s smelter emissions by 70 per cent from current levels, and reduce dust and metals emissions by 35 to 40 per cent, when complete by the end of 2015.

The first phase of the project includes construction of reinforced concrete foundations, pipe rack foundation and site preparation work for the process plant, as well as detailed excavation and backfill for these structures.

"Aecon looks forward to bringing our heavy civil expertise to this sustainable mining project for Vale," Teri McKibbon, Aecon's chief operating officer, said in a news release. "We are pleased to have a part in this environmentally innovative project for the Greater Sudbury area."

Overall, the Vale Clean AER project will involve a complete retrofit of Vale's smelter converter aisle, the construction of a new secondary baghouse and wet gas cleaning plant, a second acid plant, and new material handling facilities to better prevent dust from entering the community. The smelter will continue to operate for the duration of the project.

Posted by Arron Pickard