Rio Tinto: IOC invests in the RAIL center of expertise at Cégep de Sept-Îles

The IOC Mining Company has announced an investment of C $ 750,000 over three years to support the research and training activities of the RAIL Center of Expertise at Cégep de Sept-Îles.

For several years, IOC has worked in close collaboration with the Cégep de Sept-Îles by providing it with equipment that is now used in the training of students. In particular, IOC donated a train driving simulator to the Cégep and undertook to give it signaling equipment, switch motors, two wagons and track detectors with a total estimated value of over 850. 000 Canadian dollars.

This new partnership aims to strengthen Sept-Îles’ position as a hub for railway training by adapting the training offer to the needs of the rail transport industry, which is already well established on the North Shore. Students and employees of IOC and other companies in the region will thus be able to improve their technical skills in areas such as rolling stock and railway maintenance.

IOC and the RAIL Railway Expertise Center will also collaborate within the framework of technical assistance and applied research projects. These projects will focus in particular on the development of innovative technologies for heavy transport and preventive maintenance protocols to make railways safer and more efficient.

IOC General Manager, Railways, Ports and Energy, José Riopel, said: “Rail transport has always been at the heart of IOC’s business. By getting involved in the development of the RAIL Center of Expertise at Cégep de Sept-Îles, IOC has three main objectives: improving the safety, reliability and productivity of its operations, facilitating training, recruitment and retention of employees. qualified employees, and contribute to the economic vitality of the Côte-Nord. “

Cégep de Sept-Îles Acting Director General, David Beaudin, added: “Over the past 15 years, Cégep de Sept-Îles has developed unique expertise in the rail sector through the development of training adapted to needs. industry, technical advisory services and research. The financial support that our Railway Expertise Center receives today from IOC is a decisive event for the pursuit of our efforts in this niche of expertise. This involvement of the mining giant reinforces the relevance of establishing an innovation zone in the Sept-Îles – Port-Cartier region. Today, the management of IOC clearly demonstrates its confidence in the Cégep de Sept-Îles and its research units, and we are very grateful. “

The director of the RAIL center of expertise, Luc Faucher, concluded: “This major involvement of IOC supports CEFRAIL’s vision, which is to become a national center of excellence in training, technical assistance and rail research. We are delighted with this important contribution which will have positive repercussions for the company and for the entire region. This sum will make it possible to expand the Centre’s influence in the east of the country. “

The IOC Mining Company operates the QNS & L railway to transport premium grade iron ore concentrate and pellets over a distance of 418 km between its facilities in Labrador City and Sept-Îles.