Underground Mining: Going Deeper with Acres’ Industrial Team

At Acres, our commitment to quality and innovation is at the core of everything we do. As a multi-disciplined contracting firm with a strong Industrial team, we deliver an extensive array of services across various sectors of construction. Among these services is underground mining construction, where our team excels in complex and technically challenging projects.

A key example of this expertise is our involvement in the C-Zone Dewatering Installation Project at New Gold’s New Afton Mine, located just 10 km from Kamloops, BC. This major project, which began in the spring of 2024 and slated for a winter 2025 completion, is a crucial infrastructure development to support the expansion of New Afton’s mining operations. Acres has been tasked with the construction of a dewatering system for the C-Zone block cave, ensuring the safe and efficient extraction of ore from this extension.

With the C-Zone Dewatering Installation, Acres is responsible for delivering a high-efficiency dewatering system specifically designed to manage water flow in the newly developed C-Zone area. Key components of the system include:

  • Two 36-meter steel bolted conical tanks designed to provide optimal water collection and storage, making the dewatering process more manageable.
  • Two transfer station tanks that facilitate the smooth transfer of water through the various stages of dewatering.
  • Eight high-performance pumps, each powered by 250 horsepower motors with variable frequency drives (VFDs), ensuring efficient water removal and providing the flexibility needed for the dewatering process.
  • Tie-in to the existing PS-1 dewatering station, allowing for seamless integration with the existing infrastructure and enhancing the overall system’s efficiency.

This sophisticated dewatering system is key for the C-Zone block cave expansion, preventing water accumulation that could disrupt mining activities. It also reduces the risk of flooding and ensures the long-term safety and productivity of the operation.

To date, our team has successfully completed the installation of the conical and transfer station tanks and has shifted gears to the final concrete and mechanical installations for the main dewatering tanks.

The C-Zone Dewatering Installation Project is just one of many New Gold projects our team has had the privilege of working on, and we’re proud to play a role in supporting the mine’s continued growth and operational efficiency.