Grande Cache Coal
Actually, for a Coal Mine. Grande Cache Coal to be exact. I did some work in 2011 to develop an EDI system to help with the release of the Trains from the mine. This time it has been to help with the production reporting within the mine and for Logistics. The objective was to replace a number of ad-hoc reporting mechanisms with a reporting system integrated with the Production monitoring and reporting systems in the mine and the ERP that reports and accounts for things. If you are in this business, you will have an idea of what I am talking about. Otherwise, this will be all Greek.
Grande Cache has two operations going on at this time, one is underground, one is on the surface. Why might some question why this coal is being mined? Isn’t it bad for the environment and ultimately damaging for the planet? Well, it comes down to; should this coal be mined? I think this is the important point. Decisions to produce this natural resource over others is a case-by-case situation. While I cannot disclose details of the operation, as I am under contract with them at the moment, I have seen every evidence that this company is doing it in a respectful and considerate manner.
As for this coal, while some of it is used for thermal power generation, this is a byproduct of the operation. Most of this coal is used for steel production.