Hillsborough plans limestone operation in Newfoundland

With the takeover of Consolidated Brinco last year, Hillsborough Resources (TSE) acquired not only the operating Quinsam coal mine on Vancouver Island, but also the Port Au Port limestone property on the southwest coast of Newfoundland.

The latter is one of the largest deposits of high-quality limestone on the eastern coast of North America. Drilling carried out in 1990 indicates reserves of 60 million tonnes grading 98.3% calcium carbonate, of which 25 million tonnes are available on surface. Preliminary reserves are estimated to exceed 300 million tonnes.

Hillsborough is contemplating a fully integrated operation to focus on servicing the desulphurization facilities of the many coal-fired generating plants located on tidewater in the U.S., producing high-quality quicklime and crushed rock for cement manufacture.