First Mining Springpole Project | Mining in Northern Ontario
Mining operations in Northern Ontario face unique challenges, especially when it comes to warehousing and storage at remote sites. Harsh weather conditions, limited access, and the need for secure storage solutions make finding the right building essential. With multiple remote sites and 800 hectares to cover at this site, First Mining required portable fabric buildings that could easily be transported and erected on remote sites.
The Requirements | Portable Storage for Remote Mining Sites
In the mining industry, core samples are one of the most important assets. These samples provide critical data on the value of mineral rights and future profitability. FastCover portable buildings are designed to meet the requirements that the mining industry demands. The building needed to have the ability for storing the samples while maintaining security, protection from harsh elements, and room to comfortably move within the structure.
Our 38’ wide x 104’ long fabric structures provided a robust solution for secure storage for up to four sets of core sample racking, keeping these valuable samples safe from the elements and unauthorized access. The tight seal of our buildings ensures protection from moisture and temperature fluctuations, safeguarding the integrity of the samples over time. But what sets the buildings apart is their portability.
Custom Features of the Portable Storage Building
- Due to the remote mine locations, limited on-site supervision and the potential for extreme snow and wind conditions the truss spacing on all of First Mining’s storage buildings were tightened up to 8’ spacing as opposed to the standard 10’ spacing on this type of FastCover. This will ensure that the structures have the ability to withstand much harsher conditions especially when access to them is limited to air or water transportation during certain times of the year.
- The overhead doors are 16’ wide x 14’ high Accutrack steel reinforced fabric roll-up doors c/w 4:1 aspect ratio chain hoist lift mechanisms on all buildings. This style of door remains cost-effective but adds a greater element of security from the elements. Steel tubing encased in pockets at 2’ intervals on the fabric door riding inside C channels on each side of the opening providing excellent protection from the harsh elements.
- The building covers feature green trim with the majority of the main cover white to match the other buildings on the property.
- No lighting was required in this application as the white fabric lets 80% of natural light through for great working conditions during daylight hours
- A 36″ x 80″ man door was installed in each building to allow the on-site personnel easy access to the interior when the larger door is not required for equipment access. The steel insulated pre-hung door include a sill and brickmold for a clean installation and a keyed lock.
- The ground conditions varied from site to site. In some instances, we were able to secure the customer’s structures using our larger screw anchors. Some sites were more challenging as we encountered not only large boulders but areas of bog. In these instances we devised a system of hardware, cabling and turnbuckles, drilled into the rock and anchored the buildings appropriately.
In some instances, the FastCover buildings are being flown in by float plane when winter roads or barge travel is not accessible. The design of the components, when unassembled, make FastCover buildings a perfect choice to get into remote sites, easily erect them with no permanent foundation, and relocate them in the event their service is required elsewhere. If you’re facing similar challenges at your mining site and need a reliable building solution, FastCover has you covered—no matter how remote or rugged your location.
We purchased our first structure from Fast Cover back in 2016 and are now up to 8 structures located on 3 of our northern Ontario mining/exploration properties where they are used to securely store the core samples out of the elements. The structures needed to be able to withstand the harsh winters yet be easily transported and erected at even our remote sites. Fast Cover assured us that they could deliver and erect the portable structures to our sites on time and budget. Fast Cover’s company rep looked after our account from sale through delivery to the logistics of the construction schedule and all went smoothly. We are very happy with both the product and service that we received from Fast Cover and look forward to working with them again in the future.
– Laird T, Manager, Mineral Projects & Properties