Duz Cho Forest Products celebrated the official grand opening of its new cant mill, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

The mill was designed to cut cants specifically for export to China, the Middle East, and a small percentage to the United States. It uses small diameter logs – primarily mountain pine beetle attacked logs – that are not used nor wanted by other manufacturers in the area. The mill has also experimented with processing deciduous logs (Aspen). Sawmill residue is sold locally to the Mackenzie pulp mill.

The Duz Cho mill provides employment for 28 people and boasts a diverse workforce, with 64% being First Nations. McLeod Lake Indian Band members make up 50% of the First Nations employed by the mill, with the other half being First Nations from other bands. Thirty-six per cent of the mill’s employees are women.

Most of the Duz Cho mill was built from used equipment sourced from across Canada. The mill line is outside, under the overhang of the building, to address dust control and combustible dust issues. It can process approximately 240,000 cubic metres of timber annually.

To keep British Columbia’s economy diverse, strong and growing, since September 2011, the BC Jobs Plan continues to build on the strengths of the province’s most competitive sectors using its educated and skilled workforce. The mill’s staffing complement aligns with the goal under the B.C. Skills for Jobs Blueprint to add 15,000 new Aboriginal workers to the British Columbia workforce over the next ten years.

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations -

“I applaud Duz Cho on their innovation and ingenuity. They have managed to take wood that no one else is using, and create 28 jobs. At the same time, they are training the next generation of forestry workers.”

Al Humphreys, CEO, Duz Cho Forest Products –

“We are proud of our diverse workforce. The Duz Cho mill is operating above planned production levels in large part because of the dedicated and empowered workforce we are fortunate to employ. The fibre quality meets or exceeds our customers’ expectations, and the mill’s success is helping provide an economic boost to Mackenzie and local First Nations.”

Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie -

“Duz Cho has been a significant contributor to the local economy over the years and their innovation in  identifying a market and utilizing the small diameter wood affected by the mountain pine beetle is commendable.”

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

“This mill is a new and important part of the Duz Cho success story and is worth celebrating. And this mill will provide jobs and community benefits to the McLeod Lake Indian Band for many years to come.”

Chief Derek Orr, McLeod Lake Indian Band –

“Through the Duz Cho mill, we are able to transform wood that isn’t wanted by other manufacturers in the area. Processing this material has a significant positive impact on forest health by getting the forest replanted sooner. It also improves utilization on the land base. These are both critical issues for McLeod Lake Indian Band and a reflection of our values and commitment to our future.”

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan: www.bcjobsplan.ca

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/getmedia/4c54646a-93fa-4566-b148-f43a3f27b240/Booklet_BCsBlueprint_web_140428.pdf.aspx

B.C.’s strategy for continued growth in the forest sector, Our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestsectorstrategy/Forest_Strategy_WEB.PDF