British Columbia to spend C$25bn improving Asian trading opportunities - POLITICAL ECONOMY - Mineweb.com | The world's premier mining and mining investment website Mineweb

British Columbia to spend C$25bn improving Asian trading opportunities

BC's Premier announced Monday the launch of the Pacific Gateway Transportation Strategy which aims to expand the Canadian mining exports to Asia

Author: Dorothy Kosich
Posted:  Tuesday , 03 Apr 2012
RENO (MINEWEB) - 

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark Monday launched the new Pacific Gateway Transportation Strategy 2012-2020 to expand international trade in coal, potash, minerals, forest products, grain, container traffic and growth in air travel.

The strategy targets Cdn$25 billion in new public and private sector investment needed to meet demand, in addition to $22 billion already committed since 2005.

"We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take advantage of the fastest growing economy in history," Clark said. "Asia is right at our doorstep-our ports are closer than anywhere else in North America. Our government is making sure we can get our goods to market as efficiently and quickly as possible and this strategy is a huge part of that plan."

For instance, Teck has invested more than $1 billion and hired an additional 1.000 people in British Columbia to expand its steelmaking coal, copper and zinc operations. "We're investing to meet growing demand, particularly in Asia, for the products we produce," said Teck CEO Don Lindsay. "Working with the B.C. government and the other Pacific Gateway partners, we're creating opportunities for equipment operators, trades people and professionals across the province."

Neptune Terminals' strategic investments have resulted in record terminal exports of potash and steelmaking coal, a 20% job increase at terminals, "and additions to come as we complete our expansions," said Neptune Bulk Terminals (Canada) President, James Belsheim.

The strategy will increase major road and rail capacity, rural resource transportation capacity, bulk and container terminal capacity at B.C. ports and air passenger and cargo capacity to meet projected growth through 2020.

So far, about $12 billion worth of projects have been completed. $10 billion in projects are now underway including expansion of the Trans-Canada Highway to four lanes from Kamloops to the Alberta border and Kicking Horse Pass. The highway is a main route for movement of east-west goods to B.C. ports.

Going forward, $25 billion in additional investment is planned. CN and Canadian Pacific plan to invest $2.8 billion to increase capacity on rail mainlines.

Private sector investment of between $300 million and $1.1 billion will expand coal terminal capacity in Vancouver and Prince Rupert, while up to $60 million has been committed to expand metal and mineral terminal capacity in Northwest B.C. and Vancouver.

Private sector investments of up to $700 million will be used to develop additional potash terminal capacity.

"We are building on our world-class transportation network to support the growth of exports that create new jobs and opportunities in B.C.," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Blair Lekstrom. "Our vision is to make B.C. the preferred choice for Asian-Pacific Trade and secure a great economic future for British Columbians."


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