Vale to begin aerial seeding in Greater Sudbury

Mining giant Vale will conduct its annual aerial seeding program in Greater Sudbury from Oct. 6-13, weather permitting.

Vale Base Metals is set to begin its annual aerial seeding program this week, an initiative the company says supports long-term land reclamation efforts in Greater Sudbury.

The program, which involves helicopters distributing a mixture of agricultural limestone, grass seed and fertilizer, is scheduled to run from October 6 to 13, weather permitting. The operation will target approximately 175 hectares of barren land in need of ecological restoration.

Community impact and operations

Helicopters for the program will depart from a remote gravel pit located southeast of the community of Coniston.

While Vale said that every effort will be made to avoid flying over residential zones, it acknowledges that residents in the surrounding area may observe low-flying aircraft during the operation.

The company said these flight paths are essential to ensure the effectiveness of the seeding process. The start date is contingent on weather conditions and the program, which is expected to take about ten days, could face delays.

Since the program’s inception in 1990, Vale reports it has successfully treated over 4,400 hectares of land.

Commitment to stewardship

The company has framed the initiative as part of its enduring commitment to environmental stewardship in the region.

“This aerial seeding program reflects our commitment to environmental restoration, with operations carefully planned to limit impact on the community,” said Quentin Smith, a project engineer with Vale, in a news release.