Quinsam Coal was awarded a Mines Act amendment permit to extend its mining operations. A statement from Mr Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines, said that now the Quinsam mine will continue to provide more than 500 direct and indirect jobs in the Campbell River area.
Quinsam is the only underground coal mine in BC and produces more than 500,000 tonnes of thermal coal a year. The mine started production in 1986. It has in excess of 40 million tonnes of coal resources, and is owned and operated by Hillsborough Resources Limited.
Located 20 kilometers west of Campbell River, Quinsam Coal provides wages and benefits for about 140 employees living on Vancouver Island totaling more than USD 14 million per year. Quinsam is traditionally a large supplier to the cement industry in the Lower Mainland, and also exports coal to customers offshore.
The release also said that Quinsam Coal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental compliance. Among its other commitments to sustainability, it is dedicated to developing and implementing techniques to recycle old waste materials and convert them to usable products. Furthermore, it was the first mine to be permitted to dispose of coarse rock refuse underground in old mine workings.
On its website the company outlined what it calls its 7 South Project as follows: Our 7 South Project is scheduled to come on line in late 2011 as our reserves are depleted in current active areas. This will allow Quinsam to maintain a production level similar to that achieved in recent years, and to sustain current employment levels as well as ongoing relationships with suppliers, contractors and customers. Production will remain below the permitted level of one million tonnes per year.
Mr Coleman said that "The 7 South Project is 3.5 kilometers from the current operating mine and will utilize existing infrastructure roads, power distribution system, coal preparation plant, maintenance and office facilities to ensure the most efficient use of land and facilities. Site development includes salvage and stockpiling of cover soil for future reclamation activities, as well as construction of permitted water management structures."
As part of 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan', the Province expects to see eight new mines and another nine mining expansions operational in British Columbia by 2015. This is the second mine expansion announced and the first on Vancouver Island.
Mr Coleman said that "With Quinsam Mine remaining open, hundreds of people in the Campbell River area will continue to have the well paying stable jobs they depend on. The BC government is committed to working with industry so mining jobs continue in communities across the province."
Mr David Turnbull CEO of Hillsborough Resources said that "We're very pleased to receive the permit. We appreciate the Province's diligence in ensuring that Quinsam Mine remains an innovative and high quality operation. We've worked closely with them so that we can continue to meet or exceed all regulatory requirements and protect key local environmental values."
(Sourced from Postmedia News)
