Second Canadian sawmill destroyed in dust explosion to be rebuilt
21 March 2013
Sinclar Group Forest Products company said it intended to rebuild the Lakeland Mill at Prince George, British Columbia, with construction expected to begin this spring. The company said the sawmill would incorporate the most advanced safety protocols and equipment to ensure a safe work environment.
Sinclar President Greg Stewart said he could not give details of the size and capacity of the plant yet, but he wanted to let the community know the company is going ahead with the project, which should be complete by the summer 2014.
Two men were killed when an explosion and fire ripped through the mill in April 2012, just three months after a similar blast killed two workers at a sawmill in Burns Lake, B.C.
Wood dust has been implicated in the explosions, and the BC Safety Authority issued a report earlier this year recommending sawmills take more action to manage dust build-up.
The Babine sawmill in Burns Lake will also be rebuilt by owners Hampton Affiliates, but will be significantly smaller than the original mill.
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