Ridley Expansion Needed Sooner Rather Than Later

Wednesday, January 26, 2011 03:58 AM

Prince George, B.C. - “We are victims of our own success” says Minister of State for Mining in B.C., Randy Hawes.

He is referring to the fact the Ridley Terminal in Prince Rupert is at capacity, and will need some expansion, and fast, to serve the planned expansion of coal operations in B.C.

“We are the gateway to Asia, and that is the market for our mineral production exists, so we’ve got a lot of Asian investment here, and it is expanding greatly. Our whole Asia, Pacific plan is working very, very well.”

Ridley Terminal has reached capacity now that it has signed a contract with an American coal company to ship that company’s product. The terminal is also handling some shipments of wood pellets. “Their ability ( Ridley Terminal’s) to keep up with the demand is going to cause some problem without expansion.”

Hawes says the provincial government is working hard with the Federal government and with some of the coal producers in B.C. who are looking to expand, but need that port capacity to ship their product, to put together a plan to allow Ridley to expand. He says the need is so great, that if funding is available soon, an expanded terminal could be ready by early 2012 that will accommodate the coming expansion of several mines in the north east sector and the planned re-opening of the Quintette Coal mine in Tumbler Ridge. That open pit mining operation closed in 2000.

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Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 03:58 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Pojeb_sa on January 26 2011 11:41 PM

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/coal-producers-decry-ridley-terminals-decision/article1881479/

"Canada�s coal producers are fuming over a federal move to award a chunk of coveted port capacity in northern British Columbia to American companies, arguing the decision will choke off Canadian mining investment just as demand for the resource is soaring from countries such as China."

The more you know.

Posted by: rodangus on January 27 2011 6:40 AM

Well of course Ridley terminal is going to expand. Big time. If the yanks can ship coal from the Powder River Basin through Rupert and make a buck, it makes the coal resources of BC more valuable. And don't forget the squeeze CN will have on these guys, cause they don't have anyone's shopulder to cry on when they get their first freight bill from CN.

Posted by: rodangus on January 27 2011 7:00 AM

Posted by: rodangus on January 27 2011 7:26 AM

Posted by: gus on January 27 2011 2:47 PM

Hey, I forget to close the door behind me sometimes too before I leave. :-)

But we can tell when you have been back in to look around ..... ;-)

Posted by: gus on January 27 2011 2:54 PM

I guess the owners of the port have a right to award on the basis of first come, first served or highest bidder, or whichever it is.

There is a saying about and bird in the hand versus two in the bush.

Obviously Canada does not want to make a contract with its own terminal to hold a spot. Maybe BC can make an agreement to hold spots when capacity increases.

I wonder how this works in Europe with the countries that have seaports and those which are landlocked. They have an economic union which likely has agreements similar to NAFTA which probably has an impact on such deals.