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The Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR) and the Caisse de depot pension fund manager are studying an infrastructure project for the Quebec-Labrador iron belt, which may be what Canada needs to become one the world’s major iron ore producers.
Although CN didn’t disclose how much the project might cost or when it could be completed, it did say in a statement that it is counting on the support of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: CLF), Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Ltd. (TSX: LIM), New Millennium Iron Corp. (TSX: NML), Cap-Ex Ventures Ltd. (TSX-V: CEV) (Frankfurt: X0V) (OTCQX: CPXVF), and Alderon Iron Ore Corp. (TSX: ADV) (NYSE MKT: AXX).
The partners, said CN, have committed to work with the national railway on the feasibility study for a proposed rail line and terminal handling facility to serve the Quebec/Labrador iron ore range.
The remote geographic zone straddling the Canadian Québec and Labrador areas have been causing quite a stir in mining circles lately due to the large iron reserves waiting to be developed. The 1000-kilometre-long area, also known as the Labrador Trough or the New Quebec Orogen holds several iron ore deposits of substantial size and grade.
One of the companies exploring the area is Labrador Iron Mines, which received environmental approval and a project release from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for its Houston iron ore mining project in March.
With provincial release, the company said it was one step closer to beginning site construction. Its chief operating officer, Rod Cooper, said in a separate statement that the development of a new railway in the Labrador Trough is of great interest to Labrador Iron Mines Holdings as it would provide optionality for long-term rail capacity.
In addition, Cooper said, a new terminal handling facility at the Port of Sept-iles in Quebec would complement plans for a new dock at the port.
Major iron reserves
Labrador Iron Mines has one of the only projects moving forward at the Labrador Trough, a finger-shaped landform that holds several iron ore deposits of substantial size and grade. “The area has the potential to be a major global” area for iron ore production, said Desjardins Securities analyst Jackie Przybylowski, in a report by The Globe and Mail.
In March Desjardins issued a 64-page report devoted to the investment prospects of companies active in the region and on five of the area’s pure play iron ore prospects.
In the report, the firm chose Labrador Iron as “top pick” and set a one-year price target of $8.50 in the absence of a takeover, and even more if the company gets taken out by an acquirer.
“We believe Labrador Iron Mines is a potential acquisition target, given the company’s position as a pure play iron ore producer with no strategic partner or off-take agreement,” the report said. “Off take” is mining jargon for a deal to sell production from a mine to a major steel producer.
Mining has played an important and sporadic role in the economic, social, and cultural history of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The huge iron ore deposits of Labrador and neighbouring areas of Québec were discovered by Canadian surveyors in 1892.
See also an infographic explaining why the Labrador Trough is poised to become one of the world’s major iron ore producing regions. >> >>
Comments
Robin Goodfellow-Baikie
It is not clear from you article where the railway being studied would go; there is some support for it to go from lab rador City to Nain in northern Labrador, with spurs off to the various coastal communities, including Rigolet, which has an ice-free port. Of course it would be powered by hydro. Other mining concerns in northern Labrador ( e.g. uranium mining by Aurora near Makkovik) This concept for such a feasibility study has been supported by the executive of the Combined Councils of Labrador, and the Town of North West River, for starters.
It is believed that this route has suitable terrain for a railway. Yes, expensive, but roads here are hard to keep clear of snow; besides, with the cost of oil, electric railways make sense for the future.
Robin Goodfellow-Baikie, North West River, Labrador