Latest News

Raining sand at Orca Sand and Gravel

Mar, 05 2007

(British Columbia, Canada) -- Orca Sand and Gravel began production last week, stockpiling material for its first shipment to California. “It was raining sand on me on Tuesday ... it was great,” says Marco Romero, President and CEO of Polaris Minerals Corporation, which has been working for nearly five years to secure permits, partnerships and financing to open the quarry. The company will primarily supply aggregate material to the construction industry in California. The plant just north of Port McNeill can produce 1,500 tonnes of sand and gravel an hour. “We're ramping up to that gradually. You don't go from zero to sixty in one day,” explains Romero. “The plant is performing admirably.” Each ship load holds around 70,000 metric tonnes, and Romero hopes the first load will be shipped before the end of March. As aggregate material is removed, the area will be replanted and reclaimed as the operation moves along the deposit of sand and gravel. The company estimates a 30-year operation. Romero says there are currently 30 people working one shift at the plant, but eventually a second shift will be added. “About half our employees are members of the Namgis and Kwakiutl nations and about 40 percent are women,” explains Romero. The two native bands each have agreements with the company. “The team is doing great. There are a lot of smiles on the site.” Romero says that's because workers have been in on the construction of the plant. “We had a lot of our employees who were hired quite early help in the construction and set up of the plant,” says Romero. “So now we see a lot of ownership in the plant.” Romero says there was also a lot of local input in to the ten-month building of the plant with local contractors. Construction of the plant included a facility for loading ships and a conveyor system that passes under Highway 19 to move the material from the quarry to the ship. Romero calls having the building done on time and on budget “miraculous.” considering the extreme winter weather the North Island has experienced.