Saint-Gobain Canada Completes Construction of CertainTeed Kootenay West Gypsum Mine, Begins Full Operations
Saint-Gobain Canada today celebrates a major milestone with the completion of construction at its CertainTeed Kootenay West Gypsum Mine near Canal Flats, British Columbia. The site has entered full production following the installation and commissioning of permanent equipment, marking the final phase of this strategic expansion. The mine is designed to ensure a reliable supply of high-quality gypsum rock for Saint-Gobain’s Western Canadian operations, particularly for CertainTeed’s Vancouver and Calgary wallboard plants.
Construction of the Kootenay West Gypsum Mine began in November 2019, and the facility is now positioned to supply approximately 400,000 tons of gypsum rock annually. The project employs 30 people across the mine and supporting operations and is expected to have an operational life of more than 40 years. The overall investment in this new facility is nearly $50 million CAD, reflecting Saint-Gobain’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Western Canada.
“It is with great pride that we officially launch full operations of our Kootenay West Gypsum Mine in British Columbia,” said Jean-Claude Lasserre, CEO, Canada, Saint-Gobain. “This strategic expansion reinforces our ability to meet the ongoing demand in the construction market and ensures a steady supply of high-quality CertainTeed products and solutions for decades to come.”
Saint-Gobain Canada has also emphasized collaboration with local Indigenous communities, working closely with the Akisq’nuk First Nation and Aqam (St. Mary’s) people to provide economic and employment opportunities in the region.
Transition from Windermere Mine
The Kootenay West Gypsum Mine project was initiated to replace operations at the Windermere Mine near Invermere, BC, which had supplied gypsum for wallboard production. While Windermere will cease serving CertainTeed’s wallboard plants, it will continue operations to supply gypsum for external clients in agriculture and cement production. This transition extends the operational life of the Windermere Mine by an additional 15 years, ensuring continued economic activity in the region.
Future Developments at Kootenay West
CertainTeed Canada is now moving forward with a permitting phase for a rail loadout project at Kootenay West. Once completed, the rail infrastructure will dramatically reduce trucking distances from 4.5 million kilometres to approximately 250,000 kilometres per year. This improvement is expected to have a significant environmental impact, reducing Scope 3 carbon emissions associated with the transportation of raw materials and aligning with Saint-Gobain’s broader sustainability goals.
Antrim Gypsum Project in Eastern Canada
In addition to the Kootenay West Mine, Saint-Gobain is advancing the Antrim Gypsum Project in Nova Scotia. Following environmental assessment approval from the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change in October 2024, CertainTeed completed a detailed preparatory phase over the summer to support permitting and design for construction, which is scheduled to begin in 2026.
The Antrim project will source natural gypsum locally to serve Eastern Canadian and Northeast American markets, reducing transportation distances and associated carbon emissions. By strategically positioning the mine in Nova Scotia, Saint-Gobain can further its mission to achieve net-zero carbon by 2050, demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainable supply chain management while meeting regional market demand.
Strategic Impact and Commitment
The completion of the Kootenay West Gypsum Mine represents a critical step in Saint-Gobain Canada’s strategy to secure long-term, high-quality raw material supply for its wallboard operations across the country. By complementing existing assets, including the extended operations at Windermere and the upcoming Antrim project, Saint-Gobain is creating a geographically diversified and environmentally conscious supply chain.
Through these investments, Saint-Gobain Canada reinforces its dedication to operational excellence, sustainability, and local community engagement. The company’s continued expansion across Western and Eastern Canada underscores its commitment to providing construction markets with reliable access to high-quality CertainTeed products, supporting both economic growth and environmental stewardship well into the future.
