TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. - Residents in the Tumbler Ridge area can expect to see increased truck traffic over the coming weeks as Conuma Resources begins transporting coal from the former Trend-Roman Mine to the Quintette Mine.
Conuma Resources began hauling operations on August 14 involving the movement of legacy coal stockpiled at the Trend-Roman Mine.
The coal is being transported to the Quintette Mine for processing.
Conuma says the coal is being recovered from stockpiles that have remained at the Trend-Roman site since the mine was placed into care and maintenance in 2014.
The company says removing the stockpiles supports environmental remediation and ongoing site cleanup efforts while also creating economic development opportunities.
The hauling operation is expected to continue for about one month, with a maximum of approximately 30 truckloads per day travelling between the sites.
In a notice to residents, Conuma said the safe and respectful execution of the project is a priority and acknowledged the additional traffic the operation will add to local roads.
The company says it is committed to minimizing impacts on other road users and the broader community.
Two haul routes will be used during the project.
One route will move coal from the Trend-Roman Mine plant site to the Quintette Mine plant site via Talisman Road, Narrows Bypass Road, Core Lodge Road, Bypass Road, Kinuseo Falls Road and Quintette Mine Road.
A second route will transport coal from the Trend-Roman Mine loadout to the Quintette Mine plant site using Bypass Road, Kinuseo Falls Road and Quintette Mine Road.
Motorists travelling in the area are being advised to use caution and be aware of increased commercial vehicle traffic along the designated routes.
The District of Tumbler Ridge says residents with questions or concerns about the operation can contact the Quintette Mine security gate.
The work is being carried out by NexCo, a company jointly owned by Saulteau First Nations and McLeod Lake Indian Band, in partnership with Conuma Resources.