HGC Engineering Completes a Large-Scale Site-Wide Industrial Noise Assessment of the Inco Nickel Smelting Facility in Sudbury, Ontario

In March, 2006, HGC Engineering wrapped up a site wide acoustic assessment of Inco’s massive, 630 hectare Nickel Smelting facility in Copper Cliff, Ontario (near Sudbury), one of the largest industrial facilities in North America. The industrial noise assessment was in support of an updated environmental approval for the smelter complex, to consolidate the dozens of existing approvals for this site.  This mammoth acoustical consulting project involved detailed acoustic measurements of more than 250 sound sources, using advance sound intensity methods, entailing six man-weeks of on-site engineering work during the summer and fall of 2005, and months of subsequent engineering analysis. Sound level monitoring was conducted at neighbouring residences, and a noise control evaluation was undertaken for proposed new additions to the facility.