To-date the company has submitted quotes for 1 million ton of material related to pipeline construction, 600,000 tons related to harbor expansion and 600,000 tons for first phase Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure.

With a scarcity of aggregate in Alberta, additional quotes have been submitted for rail shipments back to that province for infrastructure builds.

In addition to quotes on near-term projects, Highbank is working on securing business well into the future. Negotiations are underway to supply 2 million tons of aggregate for a pipeline project scheduled to begin construction late in 2016 or early 2017.

“Our business plan is based on existing projects,” said Bryant.

While three-quarters of Highbank’s aggregate is destined for concrete, there is also significant demand for road building and soil stabilization.

“We can run a very profitable business as is, and when LNG construction begins, that will be a bonus,” added Bryant.

Even before LNG projects get underway, a great deal of infrastructure will need to be built. A substantial increase in the region’s workforce, both during construction and operation of the pipelines and terminals, will require housing, retail, recreation and support facilities. The Port of Prince Rupert is undergoing a massive infrastructure expansion, already valued in excess of $40 billion.

Availability of transportation corridors is an extremely important factor for marketability of aggregates. The SPN mine is located on the east side of the Portland Canal fjord on tidewater. Existing year round deep-water ports are located 38 miles north at Stewart and 72 miles south at Prince Rupert. This gives Highbank a major competitive advantage with the ability to ship product by high capacity barge while most competitors are required to truck.

Commenting on its market potential, Bryant said, “In review, the company is extremely pleased with the progress we have made over the last year. We have taken an exploration project to a production ready facility; designed and obtained all necessary permits, approvals, and licenses to build and operate an oceanside aggregate quarry; raised project financing during an extremely difficult global market trend; and above all constructed a significant remote commercial barge and ship load-out facility. Overall, a huge effort for a small company, with few employees. Given the progress to date, we are excited about the potential for 2015 and subsequent years.”