The Cliffs chromite project is comprised of four components; the mine site located near McFaulds Lake; an ore-processing facility; an Integrated Transportation System (ITS); and a Ferrochrome Production Facility (FPF).

The mine and ore processing Facility will be co-located at the mine site, which occupies about 2,600 hectares.

In addition, the mine site also includes components of the ITS, a housing complex, a tailings management area, a waste rock management area and a number of supporting and/or ancillary facilities.

The ITS is proposed to transport people and supplies between the mine site and the existing road and rail network, including concentrate from the mine site to the transload facility situated adjacent to CN’s existing transcontinental rail line located about 340 km to the south.

The proposed FPF site is situated within the City of Greater Sudbury, about 20 km north-west of the community of Capreol.

About 3,000 to 4,000 tonnes of chromite concentrate will be processed each day using electric arc furnaces to produce between 1,250 and 1,750 tonnes of ferrochrome. The mine is expected to have a lifespan of 30 years.

Currently, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Turkey and India account for 80 per cent of the world’s chromite production. China purchases about half of the world’s supply and the United States buys about 15 per cent.

Cliffs believes a ferrochrome operation in Canada would have a distinct competitive freight advantage, because of its proximity to North American and European stainless steel production.

• [Editor:Juan]