FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS $5 MILLION TO DEVELOP
POINTE-NOIRE DOCK AT PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES
The Port of Sept-Îles announced on 19 February this year the
signing of an agreement with the federal government to develop
the Pointe-Noire dock. The sum of $5 million was granted
through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides funding
to build or renovate provincial, municipal, and local
infrastructure. The announcement was made in the presence of
the Honourable John Baird, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure
and Communities, as well as mining company representatives and
other dignitaries from the Sept-Îles and Port-Cartier regions.
This development project at the Pointe-Noire dock
represents a $10 million investment and will consist mainly of
expanding dock 31 with a storage area and marine infrastructure
in order to begin shipping operations for Consolidated
Thompson Iron Mines Ltd., which plans to ship 8mt (million
tonnes) annually. The project has received environmental
authorization and will begin immediately. It is scheduled for
completion in late 2010.
The Pointe-Noire dock was acquired from Wabush Mines in
1998. Over the last ten years, the Port of Sept-Îles has invested
some $20 million in the structure. This new funding will provide
greater berthing capacity at the Pointe-Noire dock and make use
of the land behind it to create a maritime transshipment centre
for bulk cargo.
“This funding will have a major multiplier effect for everyone
involved,” stated Port of Sept-Îles CEO Pierre D. Gagnon. “In
addition to attracting an equal sum in private investments, the
project will allow us to triple the volume of activity at the
Pointe-Noire dock at a time when our iron mining industry is
booming.”
“The arrival of new mining companies in our region requires
that we increase our capacity in order to meet their shipping
needs. Today’s announcement clearly indicates that the
government is listening to the growing needs of our community
and our iron industry, and for that we are very grateful,” added
Port of Sept-Îles Chair of the Board Carol Soucy.
With a full range of high-performance equipment, the Port of
Sept-Îles is one of North America’s leading iron ore ports and
will now become Canada’s second largest in terms of annual
volume handled, with over 35mt (million tonnes).
 
CAPACITY TO BE BOOSTED AT LA RELANCE TERMINAL AT THE
PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES
Last year on 8 September, the Port of Sept-Îles announced the
signing of a financial partnership agreement with the federal
government to boost the capacity of La Relance terminal, which
mainly serves the Aluminerie Alouette aluminium smelter.
Funding to the tune of $15 million, or 50% of the project’s cost,
was awarded under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
The planned expansion of La Relance terminal represents a
total investment of $30 million. The project consists mainly of
building an additional silo and material distribution system,
increasing the volume the unloading equipment can handle, and
boosting the terminal’s aluminium shipping capacity.
Aluminerie Alouette is the biggest aluminium smelter in
North America, with a production capacity of 570,000 metric
tonnes a year, or 20% of Canada’s aluminum production. The
planned addition of a silo to the raw material storage system will
enable the smelter to meet its future raw material supply needs
and ensure its long-term survival.
“The planned expansion of La Relance terminal is essential
and will create both short and long-term jobs in the region. The
project will provide Aluminerie Alouette and other users of
these port facilities with the efficient infrastructures they need
to remain competitive and consolidate their position as
international leaders,” stressed Pierre D.
Gagnon, CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles.
 
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA CONTRIBUTES $4.5 MILLION TO OPTIMIZE POINTE-NOIRE
DOCK AT PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES.
On 20 July 2009 the Port of Sept-Îles
announced the signing of a financial
partnership with the federal government to
optimize the Pointe-Noire dock, which is
used for the operations of Wabush Mines.
The sum of $4.5 million was granted through
the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
The project to optimize the Pointe-Noire
dock represents an outlay of $9,070,000. It
will mainly consist of a 50 metre extension to
docking station no. 30, with the addition of a
pile dolphin at its end, as well as structural
reinforcement and rehabilitation of the dock’s
concrete deck. The dock extension work will
begin once environmental approvals, which
are expected in early August, are granted.
The work is scheduled for completion by
late 2010.
“With the anticipated start-up of new iron
mines in Northern Québec, these
investments are a first step in preparing for
the expected growth in iron ore shipments in
the coming years. They are key to fully
optimizing the potential of the Pointe-Noire
dock before going ahead with the addition of
new infrastructures,” stated Gagnon,
The Port of Sept-Îles is at the forefront of
the region’s economy and plays a key role in
its development. The Port accounts for some
4,000 direct and indirect jobs and its annual
economic impact has been estimated at $1
billion.
Port activity at the Port of Sept-Îles
therefore remains a significant source of
wealth creation in Quebec and Canada