The bus was full as we headed out for the 29km drive to the mine. We would not be able to leave the bus...instead, once at the mine, the tour guide comes on board and there is a lead truck that takes the bus up to the viewing point. Steve is busy taking pictures out of the bus’ open window.
This picture really puts the size of the trucks into perspective...
They were watering the road to keep the dust down...even these trucks are huge!!
Teck Corporation owns the five mines in the area along with mines all over the world. The Fording River Mine is the largest coal mine in North America encompassing 40 square miles and has the highest quality coal in the world. The average sale price for their coal is $300.00 a ton and their biggest customers are China and India.
It's hard to believe that this started out as a mountain as big as all of the other surrounding ones...
One tire costs $50 grand!
Train waiting be be loaded with coal...it will head to Roberts Bank south of Vancouver...
We were back at the Visitors Centre shortly after 12:30. We didn’t really have anything planned for the rest of the afternoon other than to get propane (again!) and perhaps take a bit of a drive around Elkford. So after lunch, we headed out.
After a little tour around the residential area of Elkford we were back home. I relaxed in my lounge chair outside with my book while Steve downloaded our tracks from yesterday’s ride onto the BC Backroads program on the laptop and printed maps. After he had finished that, he pulled out his helmet to attempt to fix the mounting bracket for the radio...again. Hopefully, it will hold this time.It had been another beautiful day with lots of sunshine...and the forecast is for more of the same for the rest of the week...awesome!
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