TUMBLER RIDGE IS AT NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA’S EPICENTRE OF ACTIVITY FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND CLEAN ENERGY.
The town was built in conjunction with development of the Northeast Coal Development. Conuma Resources is currently the community’s largest employer, with three open pit operations, mining high-grade metallurgical coal used to make steel.
Tumbler Ridge is also home to some of BC’s largest wind turbine farms, including Pattern Energy’s Meikle Wind Farm and Capital Power’s Quality Wind Project.
The forestry industry in Tumbler Ridge remains somewhat of an untapped resource, with many opportunities for business ventures available. The Tumbler Ridge Community Forest has expanded the size of their forest operations and is ready to work with you!
Our community is also a natural gas producer with companies such as Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (CNRL) and Pacific Natural Gas (PNG) adding significantly to our existing employment mix. This sector is seeing signs of recovery following the economic downturn in the oil and gas sector with new businesses locating in Tumbler Ridge. Most recently, Dragon Thermal Technologies opened a facility in Tumbler Ridge in the fall of 2018.
Mining
“With the creativity and commitment seen from the Conuma Team, we are earning long-term security in the internationally growing steel making industry. A strong quality and low-cost reputation, anchored with ”Top Ranking” safety results, proves balanced excellence is a win-win future for our employees and communities alike.”
Mark Bartkoski
Former President, Conuma Coal
The natural resource that provided an essential building block of the town of Tumbler Ridge; coal, is still an important and thriving part of our economic landscape. Conuma Resources, in operation since 2016, has provided over 800 jobs, and still has many opportunities available at their three mining operations near Tumbler Ridge & Chetwynd; Wolverine, Brule & Willow Creek.
Conuma Resources produces high grade metallurgical coal which is transported primarily to the west coast port of Prince Rupert on our dedicated CN rail line. The coal which is mined in our three mines in Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd supplies global markets with a consistent and reliable product. This coal is being exported around the world to produce steel for the construction and renewable energy sectors together with the manufacture of a range of every day items such as domestic kitchen appliances, vehicles, bicycles and electronic devices.
Skilled labour is highly sought after – from welders and heavy-duty mechanics to electricians and machinists, Tumbler Ridge has a wealth of employment opportunities. High paying mining jobs are waiting for you – where you can be home every night!
Employment opportunities also arise with our smaller mining operators in Tumbler Ridge. These include Teck, HD Mines and Anglo American.
Do you have your own business? Mining support businesses are in high-demand! Enjoy the incredible benefits of living in one of the most beautiful areas of BC!
Forestry
The Province of British Columbia is taking action to maintain the forest sector’s position as a driving force in B.C.’s economy, especially in rural communities. Despite our massive forest resources, the forestry sector in Tumbler Ridge remains underrepresented with the potential for a multitude of sub-sector businesses and secondary manufacturing opportunities as well as employment possibilities in forest operations/management around Tumbler Ridge.
In 2017, the Tumbler Ridge Community Forest (TRCF) was awarded a harvest volume expansion that nearly doubles the size of forest operations. The annual harvest with the expansion is 35,500 m3 – this alone represents an annual gross revenue of approximately $560,000 from TRCF operations and consequently significant annual inflow of revenue for future town investments.
Other key players in the sector include Canfor, West Fraser and LP.
FORESTRY OPERATIONS – MAP (COMING SOON)
“Tumbler Ridge Community Forest has provided a new economic diversification opportunity for the community. With our increase in size, the Community Forest is sustainable economically and looking for opportunities to further enhance local employment and local investment opportunities.”
Duncan McKellar
Tumbler Ridge Community Forest Corp.
Natural Gas & Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Natural gas operations in Tumbler Ridge provide considerable economic benefits to the community as well as business opportunities and employment for local people. Canadian Natural Resources LTD (CNRL) is currently Tumbler Ridge’s largest employer in the oil and gas sector with around 30 employees.
The forests around Tumbler Ridge provide significant gas reserves with gas extraction facilities dotted throughout the area.
The announcement in the fall of 2018 that the long awaited $40 billion Northern BC LNG pipeline has been approved will provide enormous additional economic and employment opportunities for Tumbler Ridge. This section will be updated as information becomes available.
Download the map below to see existing gas sites along with the proposed route of the new LNG pipeline from Dawson Creek to Kitimat, BC.
NATURAL GAS: A CLOSER LOOK – COMING SOON
Wind
With over a billion dollars of renewable energy investment in Tumbler Ridge in recent years, the area is quickly becoming a key player in British Columbia’s green energy sector.The mountains around Tumbler Ridge are perfectly situated to take advantage of the prevailing winds off the Rockies which means we are blessed with the ideal conditions to accommodate substantial further investment in the wind energy sector.
Massive investments in Tumbler Ridge in recent years include Capital Power’s 142 MW Quality Wind facility and Pattern Energy’s 185 MW Meikle Wind facility – BC’s biggest wind farm. With clean energy being the way of the future, further opportunities await for future projects in Tumbler Ridge.
In addition to further construction projects, there are significant associated research and development opportunities to be had in Tumbler Ridge. Not only do we already possess the skilled labour force and ideal prototype test areas, we also have large tracts of affordable, undeveloped and appropriately zoned land to accommodate your R&D facility. Most of these areas are either already fully serviced or have services to the parcel boundary.
Other key players in the local wind and renewable energy sectors include Boralex, Natural Forces and BC Hydro. New construction would provide many employment opportunities, as well as potential partnerships with local sub-contractors and First Nations.
Do you have your own business? Opportunities are available for wind-support businesses! Enjoy the incredible benefits of living in one of the most beautiful areas of BC! We are here to make your move to Tumbler Ridge as easy as possible. Please contact us with your relocation questions for assistance.
“The District of Tumbler Ridge is a great place to do business. We are proud our 180 MW Meikle Wind facility is supporting economic development in the District through property taxes and community benefits.”
David Durrant
Facility Manager at Meikle Wind
Business Opportunities
Mining
Our booming metallurgical coal mining sector is on the lookout for skilled and qualified personnel. There are many opportunities for professionals in many different facets of the mining sector including:
WELDING – FABRICATION – MACHINING – HYDRAULIC SERVICES – ELECTRICAL SERVICES – INSTRUMENTATION – GENERAL CARTAGE – FREIGHT SERVICES – MEDIUM AND HEAVY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE – OEM SUPPORT – MILLWRIGHT SERVICES – PLUMBING – GAS FITTING – REFRIGERATION – EQUIPMENT OPERATORS – SAFETY SERVICES AND SUPPLIES
Do you have your own business? Mining support businesses are in high-demand!
Wind Energy
The mountains around Tumbler Ridge provide some of the best conditions in British Columbia for wind energy generation. In fact, our community already hosts numerous renewable energy companies and several large wind energy developments, including the largest wind farm in BC.
The economic development office in Tumbler Ridge, together with our provincial and municipal governments actively supports the wind energy sector. Opportunities to join our growing network of sectoral professionals include, but are not limited to:
- Windmill service providers in a range of fields;
- Research and development operations in the renewable power generation sector including local test locations for prototypes;
- Remote workers and freelancers in the wind and resource sectors.
Forestry & Value-Added Wood
Unprecedented opportunities are emerging in the value-added wood sector in Tumbler Ridge. The Tumbler Ridge Community Forest (TRCF) has recently been awarded a harvest volume expansion that nearly doubles the size of forest operations. Despite being surrounded by vast, unbroken expanses of virgin forest, the forestry sector in Tumbler Ridge remains surprisingly underrepresented with the potential for a multitude of sub-sector businesses and secondary manufacturing opportunities as well as employment possibilities in forest operations/management. Looking to start your own business? The economic development will be happy to discuss your ideas with you in confidence.
FELLING – LOGGING – HAULING – WOOD PROCESSING – BIOFUEL FACILITY – WOOD PELLET PLANT – FURNITURE MANUFACTURING – CABINETRY – CUSTOM WOODWORK BUILDING MATERIALS – ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN – CREW & EQUIPMENT TRANSPORTATION – NURSERIES – REFORESTATION – FORESTRY & WOOD INNOVATIONS
Oil & Gas
Natural gas operations in Tumbler Ridge provide significant employment to local residents. There are going to be substantial additional employment and contractor opportunities emerging in the coming months as construction of the long awaited $40 billion Northern LNG (liquefied natural gas) pipeline gets underway nearby.
Be sure to register your business or professional skills on the Supply Chain Connector to ensure that decision makers know you exist when major contracts become available. https://www.supplychainconnector.ca/
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd
https://www.cnrl-careers.com/