posted in hinton parklander,on nov 12,2012

I found this interesting bit of news from Alberta



Although regulatory approval is still pending, Coalspur is putting the word out to local contractors to take part in what is planned to become one of the largest open pit coal mines in North America.

Coalspur’s Vista Coal Project is currently undergoing an application process with the Energy Resources Conservation Board, an agency that exists to ensure the responsible and efficient development of Alberta’s energy resources. If this application is successful, the mining corporation expects to begin construction on the project in the first half of next year, preparing the coal mine for an initial production capacity of three million tonnes annually. Production is planned to reach a 12-million-tonne annual capacity by 2019, tapping into Vista’s estimated $33-billion worth of coal reserves (at 2015 projected prices).

“We still require all of the regulatory approvals and the Coalspur board of directors approval before we proceed, but we want to be ready to start construction once these approvals are in place,” stated David Montpetit, Coalspur’s vice president of external affairs and logistics, in an email.

In preparation for the enormous project, Coalspur has advertised for specialists in local newspapers in Hinton, Edson and Grande Cache. After West Fraser Timber logs the area, contractors would be needed to clear away small trees and stumps from the potential mine site. Work is also required to remove topsoil, build fresh water containment areas, make ditches, ensure protection from erosion and build settling ponds.

Industrial traffic from the new mining activity in the area would require another intersection on Highway 16 east of Hinton, a main access road from the Yellowhead as well as other secondary roads around the mining location.

With the exception of the clearing of vegetation, experience with heavy construction or mining is required for interested contractors.

“We are trying to set up a way that smaller local contractors could potentially get involved,” Montpetit said. “We feel it is important to have local involvement as there are skilled contractors in the area, their workforce lives in the area, and mobilization would be less expensive and faster than contractors from outside the region.”

Coalspur has already shortlisted a select group of larger contractors for road construction, site grading, and water management work. The bidding process begins this month.

Coal produced from the nearby mine would be used for thermally producing electricity in foreign markets. Coalspur is currently negotiating a contract with CN Rail for the product to be transported to Ridley Terminals in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

“Current planning has all of the coal produced at Vista transported by rail to port for offshore customers in Asia,” Montpetit said.