Ice Roads & Runways
Since 1992 Nuna has constructed the majority of Nunavut's and the Northwest Territories' exploration and mine site ice access roads and Hercules aircraft capable ice airstrips. Nuna's specialized knowledge of northern operations and specialized equipment has enable us to design, mobilize, build and maintain the reliable infrastructure required for continuous and cost-efficient operation in otherwise isolated regions of Northern Canada.
Remote Northern Canadian ice roads and airstrips are critical supply links. In particular, the regional mining industry depends heavily on the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road (TCWR) for the transportation of construction equipment, building materials, equipment parts, oil and, most importantly, essential survival goods such as food and fuel for power generation.
Nuna key projects
World Renown Heavy Haul Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road
Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road Joint Venture
Northwest Territories & Nunavut, Canada
The Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road (TCWR) has developed from an 800 load per annum road system to a renowned and engineered ice super highway with transport trucks delivering up to 10,000 loads during the months of February and March each season.
Since 1998 Nuna has constructed and maintained the TCWR (formerly known as Echo Bay Mines Ltd.'s Lupin Winter Road). Camps, shops, laydown areas and fuel storage have been strategically positioned along the route enabling Nuna to respond quickly to various demands placed on operating a heavy haul ice road in Canada's remote and harsh north.
The TCWR starts 70 km north of Yellowknife, NWT, and traverses between 400 km and 600 km (depending on mining activities) over 85% frozen lakes and 15% land portages at its longest length. In earlier years, the route terminated at Echo Bay's Lupin Gold Mine and then was extended to reach Tahera's Jericho Diamond Mine. With both of these mines in care and maintenance status, the TCWR now terminates near Diavik Diamond Mine.
Ice Airstrip Construction and Maintenance
Various Exploration & Early-Mine Operations
Northwest Territories & Nunavut, Canada
- BHP Billiton Exploration - Using a Bombardier SW48HY tractor, constructed a 5,000 ft Hercules aircraft capable ice airstrip.
- Committee Bay Resources Ltd. - Constructed 5,000 ft Hercules aircraft capable ice airstrip in a location inaccessible by overland methods.
- De Beers Canada Corporation & De Beers Canada Exploration Ltd. - Pioneered a Nodwell route into Nisha site. Constructed Snap Lake site access winter road. Completed Gahcho Kué route selection and constructed a 125 km ice road and 5,000 ft Hercules aircraft capable ice airstrip.
- Diavik Diamonds Mines Ltd. - Annual winter site access road.
- Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc. - Constructed 65 km ice road to Afridi Lake area.
- Arnak Project - Constructed and maintained ice airstrip.
- Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. - Constructed site access roads and 5,000 ft Hercules aircraft capable ice airstrip.
- Tahera Diamond Corporation - Constructed and maintained ice access road to the Jericho site. This access road included a segment constructed of snow and ice over a substantial boulder field.
- Teck Cominco, Darby Lake - Constructed a 5,000 ft ice airstrip.
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World's Heaviest Haul Ice Road
Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road (TCWR)
In northern parts of Canada, where permafrost conditions and the terrain make a gravel road challenging to build and maintain, a solid roadbed capable of supporting heavy load haul trucks can be constructed by clearing a route across the frozen ground and lakes. The TCWR has developed from an 800 load per annum road system to a renowned and engineered ice super highway with transport trucks delivering up to 10,000 loads during the months of February and March each season.
Hercules Aircraft Capable Ice Airstrip
