The sale covers 18 pieces of equipment comprising five Cat 789C haul trucks (190 ton capacity), five Cat 785C haul trucks (150 ton capacity), four Cat D10T tractors, a Cat 16H motor grader, a Cat 992 wheel loader, a Cat 834H wheel dozer and a Cat 385 excavator.

The equipment will be delivered this month and during the first quarter next year, initially for pre-production stripping, then mining operations. The 3 million tonne per annum Wolverine mine is expected to ramp up by July next year.

Finning said the deal was indicative of the resurgence of the British Columbia mining industry. The company has expanded its service support capabilities throughout the region and over the past two years has added more than 100 new employees to its BC team.

Based on new mining developments and anticipated new business in BC, Finning anticipated its workforce would increase by 10% over the next few years.

"As the CAT fleet grows, in western Canada, in South America and in the United Kingdom, the long term demand for parts and service grows with it. This provides a growing source of ongoing earnings for many years to come," Finning CEO Doug Whitehead said.