Big news this week from Canada's Nunavut Territory. Arcelor Mittal has been given the go ahead by the Canadian Government to build their Mary River iron ore project. One of the interesting aspects of this mine plan is a 150 km railroad from the mine to a port, all located on northern Baffin Island in a remote area. The railroad is the first of it's kind in the world, with major challenges from permafrost for the rail and infrastructure, as well as exceptionally extreme climatic conditions in the winter. they plan to operate 350 days a year.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2012/12/03/north-baffinland-project-approved.htmlThe ore is very rich, basically 68% iron and only needs to be crushed and shipped. There is enough there to operate long past the projected mine life of 20 years.
I've followed this out of professional interest, but the rail plans are really interesting. Lots of tunnes and blasted rock face, as well as tall roadbed (up to 4 m) to minimize permafrost changes. It will be interesting to see this come together. Should make a great model! I might do that some day.
