Scott Nicholas
Straightline Aviation has signed a memorandum of agreement with Quest Rare Minerals for the delivery of dedicated air services to transport ore concentrate, supplies and personnel via Lockheed Martin‘s hybrid airships.
Quest Rare Minerals said Wednesday SLA will operate seven LMH-1 hybrid airships that will serve as a shuttle transportation service for personnel, supplies and mine operations between the Strange Lake complex mine site in Quebec and Schefferville.
Mark Dorey, Straightline Aviation’s chief operating officer, said the hybrid airships will look to help reach remote locations such as the Strange Lake complex as well as address issues on infrastructure and transportation in remote regions.
Straightline Aviation issued letter of intent to Lockheed’s reseller partner Hybrid Enterprises in March to acquire 12 hybrid airships worth approximately $480 million.
Quest noted at least 220,000 tons of earth ore concentrate will be delivered per year to its Becancour refining facilities for use in applications such as the development of green technologies.
LMH-1 hybrid airships have a capacity to transport up to 22Â metric tons of cargo along with 19 passengers to and from any surface such as snow, ice, gravel and water without the use of a runway or other forms of infrastructure.
