The Quinsam Coal Project

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 73, No. 816, 1980

DOUG BARNSTABLE, Project Engineer, Luscar Ltd., Edmonton, Alberta

Quinsam Coal Ltd. is assessing the potential of developing a thermal coal deposit near Middle Quinsam Lake on Vancouver Island. The coal reserve outlined is classified as a high volatile, bituminous "A" steam coal and is composed of four separate seams of varying quality within the Late Cretaceous Comox Formation.Open-pit mining methods will utilize a walking dragline and a truck/shovel module as the primary stripping tools. Following washing and mechanical drying in a Baum jig preparation plant, the coal will be transported to the proposed dock at Campbell River for shipment via 55,000-DWT vessels to world markets. The paper will outline the development and status of the project to date.

Mots Clés: Open-pit mining, Coal mining, Quinsam project, Comox Formation, Vancouver Island, Stripping, Draglines, Coal preparation, Transportation, Water management, Reclamation.