SUDBURY, Ont.: Aecon Group Inc. was awarded an $85 million contract for site preparation and foundation construction of the Vale Clean AER (Atmospheric Emissions Reduction) Project in Sudbury, Ont.

The construction and infrastructure development company based in Cambridge, Ont. said the contract is the first phase of the project, and includes construction of reinforced concrete foundations, pipe rack foundation and site preparation work for the process plant. Work also includes detailed excavation and backfill for these structures.

The project involves a complete retrofit of Vales nickel smelter converter aisle, the construction of a new secondary baghouse and wet gas cleaning plant, a second acid plant, and new material handling facilities to better prevent dust from entering the community.

The smelter will continue to operate for the duration of the project, which will result in a 70% reduction of sulphur dioxide emissions, and a reduction of dust and metals emissions by 35% to 40%.

The project is to be completed by the end of 2015.