More jobs soon with sawmill expansion

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 599, 15 August 1995, Page 5

More jobs soon with sawmill expansion

!y Michele Monaghan About 20 new jobs may created with the expan>n of the Tangiwai Saw11. "It's difficult to tell at s stage," said processg supervisor Mike harry, "depending on lether single or double ifts are used." "On double shift capacprobably about 15 to 20 )s (will be created)," opations manager Bill ilzell said. The exten>ns that will provide the w jobs include the inillation of two kilns and ur dehumidifiers to dry >od, and the addition of a latment plant and small l line next to the existing 11. The Tangiwai mill, SH49, is a subsidiary mpany of Winstone Pulp ternational Limited. "Smaller logs before >uld have normally gone aight to the pulp mill. )w they can be sawed and ded value to," Mr Dalzell id. He said the small log le will also see the ingiwai mill more capae of processing Pinus •ntorta. The two kilns will be ated by a coal-fired high essure water heater to a aximum temperature of

1 10° Celsius depending on requirements, Mr Wharry said. The kilns can each take up to around 50 cubic metres of timber at a time that will take about two days to dry, again depending on requirements. The kilns are expected to begin operation during September. The four electrically operated dehumidifiers heat up to 50° C and are expected to be up and running by November. Each dehumidifier will dry about 80 cubic metres of timber at a much slower rate than the kilns, adding to the mill's diversity, said Mr Wharry. The treatment plant is being built on top of a 'bund' that looks like a large swimming pool. In theunlikely event of a spillage, the chemicals used will be trapped in this bunded area and then re-used with no chance of leeching back in to the ground, explained Mr Wharry. "This will probably be the most advanced plant in the country when it's finished, safety wise and operationally," he said. At present the mill is classified as a 'green mill'. Once the dehumidifiers and kilns are operational the mill will be capable of selling a finished material to its end use. "It will not increase the output of the sawmill, just create a more di verse range, adding value all the way through," Mr Dalzell said. The Tangiwai mill proc-

esses five different types of timber — ponderosa, radiata and Niagra pine along with Douglas fir and green contorta. "We want to consolidate what we' re doing and make sure we're doing it well." Mr Wharry said.