New ramp connection to the surface completed

New ramp connection to the surface completed

Today, on 20 March, the two ramps that were developed from opposite directions met, thus forming a new, continuous 1800 metre-long connection between the surface and the 230-metre level.

The new ramp is a crucial component in improving logistics in the mine. The ramp is a prerequisite for an early production start as it will initially be used for truck-borne iron ore transportation to the surface and sorting plant.

Once the new ore skip is operational, the ramp will mainly be used for transporting personnel, materials and machinery. The ramp is a key component in achieving the planned production volume of 1.5 million tonnes of finished product in the first quarter of 2013.

The present ramp connection between the surface and the 230-metre level, the Ströms ramp, will eventually be phased out as its design makes it ineffective and its location means that its function as a transport route cannot be guaranteed.

The Press Release can be downloaded from the link below: