Approximately 20 logging companies and contractors operate in the timber supply area. The Kispiox Timber Supply Area produces a variety of different sized logs as well as a relatively large pulp log component. These factors lead to complicated wood flows between companies attempting to obtain the most appropriate size and quality of log for their operation. On average, 10 to 15 per cent of the timber supply area harvest is exported from the area. However, when all sources of wood (including wood from other timber supply areas and private lands) are included, mills located within the Kispiox Timber Supply Area are considered net importers of fibre.
Most of the Kispiox Timber Supply Area timber is processed by four sawmills and a whole log chipping plant. In recent years virtually all of the wood chips produced in these facilities were processed at the Skeena pulp mill at Prince Rupert. The Repap Enterprises Inc. (formerly Skeena Cellulose Inc.) mill at Carnaby employs approximately 144 people. Also located within the timber supply area is the Repap chip mill at New Hazelton, employing approximately 15 people. Repap also operates two sawmill facilities located outside the timber supply area—one at Terrace and the other at Smithers.
The mill operated by Kispiox Forest Products Ltd. (formally known as Isolite-Stege) employs approximately 88 people at South Hazelton. C GED Forest Products Ltd. (formally operated by Westar) and Kitwanga Lumber Company Ltd. employ 50 and 42 people, respectively, at Kitwanga. Companies located within the Kispiox Timber Supply Area also process timber from other timber supply areas, private land, Reserve land, and the Small Business Forest Enterprise Program.
Harvesting, processing and silvicultural activities relating to the current allowable annual cut in the Kispiox Timber Supply Area generate an estimated 583 person years of direct forestry employment within the timber supply area. An additional 286 person years of spin-off employment are estimated to be created through forest company and employee spending. In total, the current allowable annual cut generates approximately 869 person years of employment in the Kispiox Timber Supply Area.
