The mining industry presents many unique challenges for accommodating workforce needs in remote locations. Harsh conditions, lack of existing infrastructure and stringent schedules demand thoughtful, simplified solutions. Recently, one such operation found an innovative partner to deliver just that. This is their story.

ABC Mining Corporation operates a large-scale gold and copper deposit in the remote wilderness of northern Canada. Accessible only by aircraft, the open pit mine sits hundreds of miles from the nearest town with limited services. Housing and feeding their 300-person workforce under these circumstances required a strategic, yet flexible approach.

When expansion plans were announced to double production over the next 18 months, temporary accommodations needed to be procured quickly. A permanent camp would take two years to construct but production demands couldn’t be delayed. Modular, relocatable structures presented an optimal solution offering rapid deployment and scalability. Several potential contractors were evaluated based on design, scheduling, sustainability and value.

Lida Group stood out as the ideal partner with a long track record of supplying camps for remote resource projects around the world. Their innovative building systems met all of ABC’s key requirements. Constructed of insulated sandwich wall panels, the modules offered durable, energy efficient spaces that could be reconfigured or expanded as needs change.

Individual modules measuring 12′ x 40′ connect together end-to-end and side-by-side to form larger composite buildings. Standard floorplans included 120m2 dormitories accommodating up to 16 workers as well as 160m2 cafeterias and recreation halls. All are pre-plumbed, pre-wired and finished internally for plug-and-play installation. Crucially, the modules are engineered to be relocatable via transport on wheeled dollies.

A project kick-off meeting was held at Lida Group’s manufacturing facility to review construction scheduling, logistics planning and camp layout designs tailored for ABC’s site. Senior leadership from both organizations met to align strategies and problem-solve challenges together as a team. The impending winter weather window and stringent production timelines were top of mind.

Module production commenced immediately using Lida’s advanced panel assembly line. Sandwich panels are produced through a continuous process of bonding insulated polyisocyanurate foam cores between two pre-painted steel skins. This results in durable, moisture and air tight enclosures able to withstand the harsh subzero temperatures of the mining site. Floor, wall and roof panels are cut, shaped and finished with windows, doors and building services routed through for easy hook up.

In just eight weeks, twenty dormitory and cafeteria/recreation modules were constructed, finished internally and inspected for shipping. Coordinating delivery presented its