Conuma’s current surface mine operations at Brule, Wolverine and Willow Creek have a rated capacity to produce more than 5 million tonnes of high-quality steelmaking coal annually, and provide more than 900 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs for families in the Peace River Regional District.
Our operations in British Columbia produce some of the highest quality steelmaking coal resources available anywhere in the world. Conuma’s pulverized coal injection (“PCI”) and hard coking coals (“HCC”) are sought by steel producers and coke makers in Asia, North and South America, and Europe. Paired with a robust logistics chain, we ensure reliable and competitive delivery of our products to the global steel industry.
We work collaboratively with industry regulators and local communities to ensure that Conuma is a responsible steward of the environment. All mining operations are undertaken under strict compliance standards and our end-of-service redevelopment initiatives ensure we leave the land with as little impact as possible.
Our employees and customers are partners which means that Conuma’s success is a result of teamwork. As a diverse, close-knit workforce founded upon respect we strive to ensure everyone understands the importance of their part in our shared success.
We earn security by working tirelessly to avoid injuries, violations, delays, rework and waste. This commitment benefits Conuma employees, families, communities and the environment.
With large investments in machinery and infrastructure, matched with an expert team of operators, we focus on the elimination of waste and the increase of throughput at all stages of extraction, processing and delivery.
Wolverine Mine’s Perry Creek Pit is now expected to run out of coal resources in 2023. Conuma is proposing to develop the Hermann Pit, as a replacement for the Perry Creek Pit when its life comes to an end. The Hermann Pit is approximately 10km from the Perry Creek Pit as the crow flies, and its development is known as the Wolverine-Hermann Amendment Project.
The Wolverine-Hermann Amendment Project will contribute significantly to the regional economy. It will mean continued direct employment for over 300 employees and 1,000 indirect jobs for families in the Peace River. The Hermann Pit will provide coal for the continued operation of the Wolverine Coal Processing Plant; Wolverine Mine operations employees will be transferred from the Perry Creek Pit to the Hermann Pit. Like the Perry Creek Pit, the Hermann Pit will produce coal by open-pit mining methods and has the potential to produce, in its first phase, approximately 9 million tonnes (Mt) of steelmaking coal for sale in the export market.
On February 12, 2021 Conuma received the Environmental Assessment Certificate for the Wolverine-Hermann Amendment Project. We are currently in the process of applying for the Mines Act Permit Amendment (MAPA) and expect to receive this in early Q3 2021. In anticipation of receiving MAPA approval, the Conuma Project Development team is finalizing the Hermann project’s detailed engineering and construction readiness. Once in operation, the Hermann mine will extend the life of the Wolverine-Perry Creek complex by up to 10 years.
As the leading producer of steelmaking coal from the Peace River Coalfields, Conuma is continually evaluating and advancing mineral properties within its portfolio of assets. As knowledge of these assets grows, they become part of the project pipeline which will drive Conuma’s future growth. Our Project Development Team is currently focussing on multiple expansion areas that will be assessed extensively for resource/reserve definition, namely the Hudette Property, which is a potential successor to the Brule Mine. In parallel with the exploration and development work, important environmental impact and baseline studies will be advanced. We are excited about the potential of our various pipelines and we look forward to sharing more project development news as it becomes available.
