Once the facility is completed it will have a capacity of 42,000 tonnes.
Photo courtesy of G3 Canada Limited.
Working around the clock, crews poured 2,064 cubic meters (2,700 cubic yards) of concrete. It took five days and 400 cement trucks to fill the order.
The concrete is poured into a form which slowly rises, at about 30 centimeters (12 inches) every 54 minutes until the structure reaches the planned height.
The brand-new facility stands 39.6 meters (130 feet) tall. The massive weight, about 6,150 tonnes, is supported by more than 226,796 kilograms (500,000 pounds) of rebar.
Contractor FWS completed the ‘slip pour’ in 7,500 man-hours of work.
To complete the rest of the elevator and its interior and exterior infrastructure, there’s still work left to do including the railway loop track that will be able to accommodate a 134-car train. When it’s finished the new primary elevator will have a capacity of 42,000 tonnes and, like other G3 elevators in western Canada, be able to unload trucks in minutes and load trains in continuous motion.
Construction on the new elevator and a similar facility near Melville began in April. Both are set to open in time for the 2018 harvest.
According to the2017 Grain & Milling Annual, G3 Canada Limited has 18 grain storage facilities with a total storage capacity of 28.725 million bushels.
G3 has opened four new grain elevators in Canada since August 2015 and another new lake terminal in June 2016.
G3 is a joint venture between Bunge and state-owned Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Co. (SALIC) that was established to purchase a controlling interest in CWB, formerly the Canadian Wheat Board. G3 is working to establish an efficient coast-to-coast Canadian grain enterprise that provides stronger market access for growers.
