Churchill, MB – Arctic Gateway Group (AGG) announced today that it has completed construction of a dedicated facility that will play a major role in the export of critical minerals through Churchill. It is the first new building at the Port of Churchill in decades and represents the next stage of development as the major capital program on upgrading the Hudson Bay rail line prepares for a major construction season and efforts begin to shift to Port re-development.
“The Port of Churchill is part of Arctic Gateway’s trade corridor, which is improving Canadian companies’ access to international markets,” said AGG Chairperson Mike Spence. “We’re proud to be working with Hudbay to ship critical minerals through the Port for the first time in over two decades.”
Zinc concentrate from Hudbay Minerals are arriving by covered gondola rail cars over the next two months with over 225 cars of material for export in August 2024. New equipment for the Port has been secured including cargo container handlers, skid feeders, expansion hoppers, loaders and transfer conveyers and the material is being stored in the new enclosed building. In preparation, port employees were called back to work early to work alongside the Manitoba company that built the new domed building.
In addition to the Port improvements, this year will also see historic investments in capital upgrades along the Hudson Bay Rail Line. This includes 125,000 rail tie replacements, 800,000 feet of resurfacing, several crossing rehabilitations, turnout replacements and various bridge improvements. Of note, a portion of this work includes the replacement of a large rail bridge at Mile 179.8 of the Thicket Portage Sub-Division. This replacement will use a phased approach throughout the 2024 construction season, ensuring no disruptions to freight and passenger service.
Since taking possession of the Hudson Bay Railway in 2018, AGG has made significant progress in restoring and improving the condition of the track, allowing the line to offer competitive transportation services. For a third consecutive year, AGG is poised to achieve year over year increases to the resupply exports through the Port of Churchill to Nunavut communities and clients. Almost $60 million is being invested this construction season to complete the capital upgrades, purchase equipment and set the stage for future upgrades.
These investments are made possible through the support and shared vision for a robust arctic trade corridor by the Government of Manitoba, the Government of Canada, and the Arctic Gateway Group. We look forward to continuing this partnership as we move on to the next phase of development.
“2024 will be a very active and busy year for AGG. A second freight train per week is being added to expand services to our customers,” said Spence. “Providing training and good jobs in the north means we can continue to play a critical role, not only in economic development and Indigenous reconciliation, but also in advancing Canada’s Arctic sovereignty.”
About Arctic Gateway Group
The Arctic Gateway Group is a proudly Indigenous- and community-owned Manitoba company that owns and operates the Port of Churchill, Canada’s only Arctic seaport serviced by rail, as well as the Hudson Bay Railway, which runs from The Pas to Churchill.
Media Contact:
Tom Garrett
(204)806-3670
tom@chadwickconsulting.ca