Conuma Coal re-opens second mine near Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
Conuma expects to have the Wolverine Mine operating at full production levels by April, exporting 1.5 million tonnes of metallurgical coal annually. — Photo: Walter Energy
Conuma Coal Resources Ltd., is busy hiring as the US-based company prepares to reopen of the Wolverine Mine about 15 kilometres from Tumbler Ridge.
Conuma Coal Resources Ltd. stated that the reopening of the mine is expected to create 220 jobs.
The new jobs are in addition to 170 position created when Conuma Coal restarted the Tumbler Ridge's Brule Mine in September. Conuma Coal purchased both properties and another coal mine in northwestern B.C. from Walter Canada in 2016.
B.C.'s Ministry of Energy and Mines says Conuma expects to have the Wolverine Mine operating at full production levels by April, exporting 1.5 million tonnes of metallurgical coal annually.
Tumbler Ridge Mayor Don McPherson told the Canadian Press that the mine’s reopening is welcome after hard times for the community.
“The opening of the Wolverine Mine by Conuma Coal is the best Christmas present Tumbler Ridge could have asked for,” McPherson said in a news release. “We have had a tough three years, and this will put people back to work and improve our economic outlook.”
The coal will be shipped through Ridley Terminals in Prince Rupert. Conuma is a Canadian company, but its owners also own West Virginia’s ERP Compliant Fuels, which has been busy snapping up coal mines from bankrupt mining companies in the U.S.
Source: Conuma Coal/Canadian Press/Ministry of Energy and Mines
