Construction Begins on West Coast Handling and Storage Facilities

The planned handling and storage facility in Port Moody, B.C. that will be used to move Legacy Project potash to international clients has received a project permit from authorities following a comprehensive environmental review and consultations with First Nations and community representatives.

“This project permit allows us to start the work, things like clearing and site preparation work that must be done in order to start piling,’’ says Dr. Martin Ponzlet, Project Manager of the Port Project for K+S Potash Canada (KSPC).

The permit relates to the construction of a new rail car unloading station, new covered conveyor systems, systems to control dust emissions, and a new 160,000-tonne-capacity warehouse. It was issued to Pacific Coast Terminals (PCT), which leases the land in question from Port Metro Vancouver, an independent corporation accountable to the federal Minister of Transport. PCT signed a partnership arrangement last year with KSPC that will see the two parties construct the facilities; PCT will operate them.

“There were a lot of permits that needed to be obtained but this is the most important one and the one that takes the most time,’’ says Ponzlet. “This is the one that says our design is in compliance with the relevant environmental codes and good to go.’’
Construction of the new facilities is scheduled to be completed in the latter part of 2016.