Pioneering Live Electrical Cleaning Solutions Across Ontario’s Mining Sector
From underground substations to towering outdoor insulators, Highvec Canada Inc. has earned its place as a trusted name in electrical safety and innovation. With roots in Timmins his family-run company specializes in high-voltage cleaning and inspection—performed live, without interrupting operations.
When most people think of electrical maintenance, they think of downtime: systems powered off, production paused, and costs stacking up. But for Highvec Canada Inc., “live” is the standard—not the exception.
Highvec Canada has spent more than three decades transforming how industrial and mining companies manage high and medium-voltage power distribution systems. Their approach: clean and inspect systems without shutting them down. It’s a solution that dramatically reduces risk, eliminates costly downtime, and improves the safety and longevity of electrical infrastructure.
“By choosing our services, you can effectively mitigate the risks of electrical flashovers and unforeseen shutdowns—without ever shutting off your systems,” says CEO Brianna Humphrey, who proudly leads the company her father, Chuck Humphrey, founded in the early 1990s.
A Groundbreaking Idea—Literally
The story of Highvec begins with a bold vision. In 1991, Chuck Humphrey, a seasoned industrial electrician with over 38 years of experience, launched Highvec with a simple but revolutionary idea: to clean high-voltage electrical equipment without turning off the power.
At the time, the concept was unheard of—many believed it was simply too dangerous. But Chuck was undeterred. Drawing on expertise and experimentation, he pioneered a live-cleaning method using non-conductive, biodegradable blast media—specifically, finely ground corncobs and walnut shells. These materials were just abrasive enough to remove grime, but gentle enough to avoid damaging fragile electrical components.
“There was no market for what we wanted to do because no one was doing it,” Chuck recalled. “It took a long time before anyone believed it would work.”
One of the company’s first major clients was the Golden Giant Mine in the Hemlo gold camp. The first substation was cleaned with the power off. The second—with it on. That moment marked a turning point, proving the effectiveness of Highvec’s method and laying the groundwork for a business that’s still growing today.
What Highvec Offers: Services That Power Productivity—and Safety
At its core, Highvec’s mission is to keep power flowing—safely and efficiently. Their specialized services help mining and industrial operations maintain high-voltage electrical systems under real operating conditions, using a combination of environmentally friendly cleaning techniques and advanced diagnostics.
Highvec services a wide range of clients in underground mines, smelters, refineries, steel plants, pulp and paper mills, and other heavy industrial facilities. When operations don’t have to stop just for equipment maintenance, it’s a game-changer for companies with 24/7 operations
But cleaning is only part of the story. Highvec’s work begins with a detailed condition-monitoring inspection using infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) cameras. These technologies detect hidden hazards—such as hot spots, poor connections, or signs of corona discharge—that could lead to flashovers or shutdowns if left unresolved.
Core Services Include:
- Dry, biodegradable media blasting
- IR/UV condition monitoring inspections
- Switchgear, substation, and transformer cleaning
- Custom-built mobile units for underground and surface work
- Detailed before-and-after reports
This comprehensive, turnkey approach not only prevents flashovers, tracking, and corrosion, but also extends the life of vital electrical assets. And with a spotless safety record—zero accidents in over 30 years—Highvec’s clients can feel confident they’re with trusted professionals.
Proven Results, Recognized Excellence
The Highvec method eliminates risks associated with condensation and oxygen displacement—common issues with dry ice cleaning. In fact, one mining client experienced a switchgear flashover after using dry ice, even though the equipment had been hand-wiped and re-inspected.
“CO2 cleaning has its place, but not in electrical equipment,” Chuck later explained. “With live cleaning, safety must always come first.”
They’ve even been put to the test in head-to-head evaluations. In a controlled trial at the Xstrata Nickel Smelter complex, three cleaning methods were compared: dry ice blasting, high-pressure water, and Highvec’s dry blasting technique. The result? Highvec came out on top—its process proving to be the safest, cleanest, and most effective.
Rooted in Community
While their work may be high-voltage, their values are deeply grounded. The company operates across Timmins, Sudbury, Kirkland Lake, Wawa, Thunder Bay, and Red Lake, and maintains close ties to its hometown community.
On their property in Timmins, they operate a biodiverse, organic farm called Radical Gardens. It’s an unusual pairing that reflects their commitment to environmental responsibility. The company also sponsors an on-site apiary, supporting local pollination and sustainable agriculture. It’s a sweet contrast to their gritty underground work and a reminder that even industrial businesses can support grassroots environmental stewardship.
Looking Ahead
As Ontario’s mining sector expands, Highvec is poised for growth. With numerous new mine developments planned, the need for non-disruptive, preventative maintenance is higher than ever.
“Every time our technicians step onto a site, it’s a new project with new challenges—and new opportunities to make it safer,” says Brianna.
Highvec is booking into 2026, and the company continues to invest in custom-built equipment and ongoing training. They are also exploring ways to enhance their current processes—investigating new inspection tools and techniques, while staying true to the safety-focused, field-proven methods that have earned them their reputation.
Highvec remains intentional about quality and client care, prioritizing safety and effectiveness above all.
“We’ve been approached about scaling up, but the expertise this work requires means we stay small, focused, and hands-on,” Brianna explains. “That’s why our clients trust us.”
Why MineConnect?
Highvec joined MineConnect to deepen relationships within the province’s mining sector.
“Organizations like MineConnect are vital,” Brianna says. “They help us grow through networking and word-of-mouth—which are still the strongest tools in business.”
Highvec represents the spirit of MineConnect membership: innovative, community-minded and resilient.
🌐 Learn More or Connect
If you’re a mining or industrial company seeking to improve electrical safety, without sacrificing uptime, Highvec is the partner you’ve been waiting for.
🔗 www.highvec.com
📧 E-mail Brianna
📞 705-221-3641
