Historic overview

In 2016, in conjunction with the legal liquidation process initiated by Cliffs Natural Resources, the Québec government acquired through Investissement Québec the railway and port infrastructure situated in the Pointe-Noire sector in Sept-Îles.

The hard work of the 35 employees then present on the site facilitated the reception of the first train from Tata Steel Minerals Canada Ltd. and the handling of 250 000 tons of iron ore.

In 2017, the Société du Plan Nord acquired all the shares held by Investissement Québec in the SFP Pointe-Noire.

The same year, an initial long-term service contract was concluded with Québec Iron Ore Inc. and nearly 1 million tonnes of ore transited through the SFP Pointe-Noire’s infrastructure.

In 2018, a new conveyor linking the SFP Pointe-Noire’s infrastructure to the previously hemmed in multi-user dock of the Port of Sept-Îles was put into service.

Following the start-up of the Bloom Lake Mine, the SFP Pointe-Noire handled the first load of material from Quebec Iron Ore.

The same year, a long-term service contract was concluded with Tacora Resources Inc.

In 2019, the SFP Pointe-Noire announced a $180-million investment program to modernize its facilities and stabilize its operations. At the same time, it received the first shipments from Tacora Resources Inc.

The Pointe-Noire site then had 200 employees, proof of its rapid growth.

The year 2020 marks the establishment of the Pointe-Noire Soil Treatment Centre, the first business on the SFP Pointe-Noire’s land, a joint venture established with Englobe Corp. It represents the first step toward the diversification of the industrial development of lands in the Pointe-Noire sector.

The SFP Pointe-Noire is continuing to invest in the optimization of its infrastructure. It now employs more than 220 workers who are handling more than 10 million tonnes of ore annually.

Through its approach centred on occupational health and safety, operational excellence, and customer service, the SFP Pointe-Noire is fostering the continuity of its customers’ projects.

The SFP Pointe-Noire has 500 ha of land available and ready for industrial development and now hopes to attract greater numbers of promoters from different areas of activity to achieve its full potential.