Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 24, Saint-Gobain Canada has announced the completion of the final construction phase for its CertainTeed Kootenay West Gypsum Mine near Canal Flats, British Columbia, close to the Alberta border. The mine has now reached full production capacity following the installation of permanent equipment. This development strengthens Saint-Gobain’s supply chain for high-quality raw materials, supporting its gypsum wallboard plants in Vancouver and Calgary.

CertainTeed Kootenay West Gypsum Mine

The Kootenay West Gypsum Mine, with construction starting in November 2019, supplies 400,000 tons of premium gypsum rock annually to the company’s Western Canadian operations. Employing 30 workers, the mine is expected to operate for over 40 years. The project represents an investment of nearly $50 million CAD, enhancing Saint-Gobain’s regional manufacturing capabilities.

Jean-Claude Lasserre, CEO of Saint-Gobain Canada, stated: “It is with great pride that we officially launch full operations of our Kootenay West Gypsum Mine in British Columbia, a strategic expansion of our presence in Canada, strengthening our operations to continue meeting the construction market demand. With this new mine, we reinforce our commitment to supply Western Canada with our high-quality CertainTeed products and solutions for decades to come.”

The Kootenay West Gypsum Mine replaces the Windermere Mine near Invermere, British Columbia, ensuring the necessary gypsum rock quality for wallboard production. The Windermere Mine will continue supplying external clients in the agriculture and cement industries, extending its operational life by an additional 15 years.

Looking ahead, CertainTeed Canada is pursuing a rail loadout project for the Kootenay West Gypsum Mine, currently in the permitting phase. This initiative aims to reduce trucking distances from 4.5 million kilometers to 250,000 kilometers annually, significantly lowering transportation-related carbon emissions and supporting Saint-Gobain’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon by 2050.

In a separate development, CertainTeed’s Antrim Gypsum Project in Nova Scotia received environmental assessment approval from the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change in October 2024. The project has progressed through a phase that provides data for permitting and detailed design, with construction planned for 2026. The Antrim mine will source local gypsum to serve Eastern Canadian and Northeast American markets, reducing transportation distances and emissions in line with Saint-Gobain’s sustainability objectives.

These initiatives reflect Saint-Gobain’s commitment to sustainable growth and operational efficiency. By investing in modern infrastructure and prioritizing environmental responsibility, the company aims to meet construction market demands while minimizing its ecological footprint. The projects are expected to create jobs and support regional economies, reinforcing Saint-Gobain’s role as a key player in Canada’s construction sector.