Vale confirmed its plan to move the nickel-cobalt-copper operation from care and maintenance back to an active mine on June 18, noting it is eyeing resumption in early July. It will also be restarting activities related to the mine's expansion project.

It expects to reach the mine's full capacity by early August.

The fly-in, fly-out Voisey's Bay operation, which includes an openpit mine and concentrator, has been open since 2005. Its 6,000 tonne-per-day facility produces nickel-cobalt-copper concentrate and copper concentrate.

Nickel concentrate produced at Voisey's Bay is currently processed at the company's hydrometallurgical processing facility in Long Harbour, Newfoundland.

Vale has previously said about 80% its operational support contracts for the mine and concentrator are held with aboriginal businesses.