Iron ore pellets & concentrate
Product
2,877
Employees
16.6Mt
Production (100% basis)
58.7%
Ownership
1949
Started
2021 figures
Quebec, Newfoundland & Labrador
The Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) operations are integrated across a mine and processing plant in Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador; a port and stockpile in Sept-Iles, Quebec; and a 418 kilometre railway that joins these two parts of the operation.
IOC is a joint venture between Rio Tinto (58.7%), Mitsubishi (26.2%) and the Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Income Corporation (15.1%).
Visit the IOC website >
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Mines
One mine in Labrador City with five operational pits with significant deposits for the supply of high-grade iron ore products. -
Processing
Our processing centre includes a concentrator and a pellet plant allowing us to transform our ore into high grade iron ore products. -
Ports
One port facility in Sept-Illes from where our products are shipped to customers around the world. -
Rail network
We operate a wholly-owned 418 km railway, the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway (QNS&L) that links our Labrador operations to our port facilities in Sept-Iles.
Innovation at IOC
The fully integrated operation at IOC is supported by two operations centres in Labrador City and Sept-Iles that allows us to ensure our mine, processing operations, port and rail system work together efficiently to achieve maximum productivity.
The rail network is the link between the two parts of our operation and all of our rail traffic is managed in real time using state-of-the-art technology and the latest computing, railway communications and signalling protocol technologies.
Dispatchers
Our dispatchers have a full view and control of all rail traffic helping to support the safe, reliable and smooth running of our trains and in turn of our integrated operation.
The mining industry is continuing to grow and evolve, so effective utilisation of our assets is critical for us to remain competitive, reach our full potential and lay a solid foundation for our future.
In 2019, IOC made the decision to move forward with concentrate and pellet plant remote operations, the next step in our journey to help ensure a strong future for our business and our communities.
Our team continually innovates to improve safety and production, like pioneering a drill bit changer that can easily lift, handle and move around the tools required during a drill bit change-out, to keep people out of the line of fire.
Latest IOC releases
18 January 2023
IOC donates 34 hectares of land to Town of Labrador City
LABRADOR CITY, Canada – The Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) and the Town of Labrador City have signed an agreement whereby IOC will donate 34 hectares of land valued at approximately C$4.2 million to the Town of Labrador City.The donated land is made of 17 separate parcels located in different parts of the town that together represent an area equivalent to 48 football fields. A parcel will be dev
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08 September 2021
IOC invests in RAIL Centre of Expertise at CEGEP de Sept-Îles
SEPT-ÎLES, Canada – The Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) has announced that it will invest $750,000 CAD over three years to support research and training at the CEGEP de Sept-Îles’ RAIL Centre of Expertise. IOC has been working in close collaboration with the CEGEP de Sept-Îles for several years, providing equipment that is now used to train students. Notably, IOC has donated a train-handling simu
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14 December 2020
IOC and College of the North Atlantic to develop future skills for the mining industry
Montreal - The Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) and College of the North Atlantic (CNA) signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the development of new skills aligned with the latest advancements in mining technology. IOC will invest C$2 million over three years in this initiative. IOC is gradually implementing new, more technically advanced systems as well as autonomous
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Moss pit opened in 2018
Growth
We have a high-quality iron ore reserve and long mine life. In 2018 we opened a new pit, the Moss pit, at our existing mine site in Labrador. This development will extend the life of our IOC operation, reduce operating costs and sustain production of our quality grade iron concentrates and pellets.
Our high-grade, low impurity products, within the broader iron ore market, have seen a significant and sustained increase in demand from steel producers.
Building a better future together
Together with the Innu communities of Uashat mak Mani-utenam and Matimekush-Lac John, in Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec, Canada, we signed a new partnership agreement called “Ussiniun” in December 2020.
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In the Innu language, the word “ussiniun” means “renewal.” Through this partnership, we will build a stronger future together – supporting local education, jobs, the environment, and work to preserve the unique customs and cultural practices of both communities.
Contact IOC
IOC
1 Retty Street
Sept-Îles Quebec G4R 3C7
Canada
T: +1 418 968 7400