Fermont - A Company Owned City

Waking to the sound of rain can be soothing but not on a travel day. It’s not even so much raining as a constant drizzle, overcast, and dismal day. Again, shortly after taking off from our parking spot we saw the results of a forest fire, this one being what appears a little older than the rest.

Another forest devastated by fire

As we travelled further down "the road less travelled" we came across Fire Lake which was once home to a large open-pit mining company.  It closed in 1984 due to the cost of extracting of iron ore.

2 large silos are all that remain

Arcelor Mittal Mining Canada reopened Fire Lake mine in 2008 because of the high demand for iron ore. Today all ore is transported to Fermont by rail for processing.

Iron ore being dumped by railroad tracks awaiting transport

Long,long train transporting iron ore

As we continued down the dirt road we stopped for numerous reason. Either to walk around, take pictures, or just smell the roses(no roses up here but you get the idea).

A hill covered with Caribou Moss

Large round boulders sitting atop this hill left behind
during glacier times

Susan and Chris just "smelling the roses"

Fermont is a small Quebec town approximately 23 km from Labrador City. It was founded in the 1970's and the name means "iron mountain". The sole purpose of this town is to extract rich iron ore from Mont Wright. Therefore the town is strictly a company town.

Mont Wright...or what's left of it

Runoff from mining iron ore

Road...Railroad tracks scary when a train is coming at you

Within minutes of arriving in Fermont we were approached by wonderful people welcoming us to the area and seeking information about the road we just travelled. No, these individuals were not from Quebec but Labrador. Its true, people from Newfoundland and Labrador are the friendliest individuals.

We did not have much time between arriving and going for our scheduled tour of “The Wall” and the town. The town is noted for it's huge self-contained structure which has apartments, schools, a swimming pool, grocery store, hotel, restaurant, and more. This 1.3 km long by 50 meter high building is designed to protect the town and allow residents to stay indoors during the very harsh winters.

Only part of "The Wall"

Like I said earlier it is a company town and basically the company owns everything in the town. If you retire after 30-35 years of service or if you know longer work for the company, you have to leave the town. You can not stay therefore many people have bought houses elsewhere.

Company provides nice housing

Apartments strictly for fly in/fly out
 individuals

Fermont has a newly constructed company built hospital in town with 5 doctors and 30 - 40 nurses on staff. Since 2001 babies are no longer delivered here, they have to fly out before term. All life threatening emergencies are flown to Quebec.

New hospital

As our tour drew to an end we had to have our picture taken by the large mining truck at the entrance to the town.

I could have fun driving this one

Rows and rows of old tires for these trucks line the roadway

Now it's time to get warm with a hot shower and a muchly anticipated cocktail. Roads were a little rough today but not bad.