2023-09-19 17:24:14
At the end of a consultation in Springfield in southern Manitoba, an overwhelming majority of those who voted opposed a silica sand mine project.
Rural Municipality of Springfield councilors Mark Miller and Andy Kuczynski released the results Tuesday morning.
More than 96.4% said no. They want to protect our water, says Marc Miller at a press conference. It’s amazing, it’s such a positive day for the Rural Municipality of Springfield.
Andy Kuczynski indicates for his part that 4,581 people voted against the project, while 171 others voted in favor.
Indeed, the Alberta company Sio Silica wants to drill up to 7,700 wells to extract ultrapure crystalline quartz near the town of Vivian, located in the rural municipality of Springfield. To achieve this, the strategy would be to inject air into the aquifer and sand would be extracted from each well.
The city council was initially reluctant to make land use planning changes to accommodate the Sio Silica project.
Open in full screen mode
Sio Silica’s coveted product is ultrapure crystalline quartz, which is 99.85% free of contaminants that reduce the value of silica. (Archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Gary Solilak
However, the province’s Municipal Commission, which has the power to overturn the decisions of municipal elected officials, ordered the municipality to make the necessary changes to land use planning.
Mark Miller and Andy Kuczynski proposed a motion this summer for the public to have a say on the project, which the city council supported.
In June, the Rural Municipality of Springfield rejected a motion to sign a development agreement with Sio Silica.
In a 105-page report released June 23, the Manitoba Environmental Protection Commission recommended the province obtain additional legal advice and better understand the associated risks before making a decision.
Following receipt of this report, Manitoba Minister of Environment and Climate, Kevin Klein, said he wanted to wait before commenting on the Sio Silica project.
1695162027
#Residents #Springfield #Manitoba #reject #proposed #silica #sand