QNS&L train at Camp Tika, near Mile 58 (photo courtesy)
Mining company IOC confirms that activity at the concentrator and pellet plant in Labrador City has gradually resumed over the past few days.
Operations were suspended because the fires damaged the QNS&L rail line that connects Schefferville to Sept-Îles. The mining company had extended this pause due to its annual shutdown week scheduled for June 14-20.
The rain of the last few days has improved the situation and trains can now run on the track 24 hours a day.
However, Simon Letendre, IOC media director at Rio Tinto, remains cautious, noting that “the situation remains fragile” as the fires near the railway line are still active.
Ore hauling capacity also remains limited due to incomplete repairs to infrastructure damaged by fire.
Passenger traffic was also able to resume on Wednesday after another break of several days when the fire broke out again in its northern part near the railway line.