“Being able to accelerate Wolverine’s hard coking coal production and sales by six months is positive news. Half a year’s production of Wolverine hard coking coal at the increased annual level of 2.4 million tonnes will result in significant and accelerated cash flow for our company,” president Gary Livingstone said.
Pittsburgh-based coal preparation plant and material handling systems group Sedgman will construct the plant. Plant capacity will be 3Mt, but initial throughput will be 2.4Mt.
Currently, the company’s mine permit allows for the production of 1.6Mtpa on the Perry Creek and EB opencut properties over an 11-year period. WCCC has applied to the British Columbia Government for an increase to the allowable production to 2.4Mtpa. A decision is expected by the 2005 fourth quarter.
Total capital cost of the project is estimated at $C242 million.
