"Xstratadude, Perhaps I went a bit too far with the duct tape but every operation requires major capital to sustain current production levels as they are ramping themselves to destruction with high trucking costs. The Kiruna systems at McCreedy and Creighton are expensive to install and maintain and only solve production problems for the short term.

CCD needs a shaft for Kelly Lake and the reserves below South Mine
Creighton need a new deep shaft
Stobie needs a new ore handling system
Garson requires major development
McCreedy East will require another deepening phase but the reserves are near depletion

On surface CORE and AER require billions"

In addition to the above capital requirements at Vale Inco, there are new emission standards that have to be met that will require major spending on the Copper Cliff Smelter.

SN