RE: monts-otish road Google translation:
CHIBOUGAMAU - The extension of Highway 167 from Stornoway to allow mining to ensure access to the Renard diamond project in northern Quebec, is well ahead of the construction schedule of the road. A dozen kilometers out of a total of 97 kilometers are now completed.
Recall that last November, Quebec had discharged the last two sections of this road. Stornoway then became responsible for the addition of 97 km segments C and D in the form of mining single track lane. She received a financial boost from the government $ 77 million at an interest rate of 3.25% 15 year rate.
In terms of the converted mining road winter road, the spokesman for Stornoway talking about 12%.
"The timing is fine. October is the "target" to complete the road. We are not worried. Of the 97 km, currently, there are a dozen kilometers are completed. Mother nature is still on our side, it's cold again, this is good. [They] will continue until the road thaws, "says Ghislain Poirier, business manager at Stornoway. According to him, the field conditions were better than expected.
"Chantiers Chibougamau and Joe St. Croix make a incredible job of managing. It is faster than expected. And we must not forget that the winter road was delivered to us earlier, "says Poirier.
On the other hand, the mining objective was to deal primarily with local businesses in Northern Quebec. "We are very proud because it is a road with regional entrepreneurs, both the construction and management. Bridges with Chantiers Chibougamau and management with Jo-Ste-Croix. "
Difficult funding
By next fall, mining requires an initial investment of $ 752 million to launch production. Mine does not hide the difficulties it faces.
"Generally in the mining world, it is difficult funding these days and we can not escape that dynamic," says public relations director of Stornoway.
According to him, there is currently some uncertainty at the mining tax in Quebec.
"The charges, it does not help. When bankers do not know the tax conditions in which they will lend money, it makes things difficult, "said Mr. Poirier.
Commissioning of the plant is expected to begin in December 2015 and commercial production by June 2016.