Sio Silica mining for support with new proposal

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This article was published 23/07/2024 (410 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sio Silica is taking another shot at developing a silica sand mine in Manitoba, after the provincial government rejected the company’s controversial plans for a project east of Winnipeg.

Feisal Somji, president and chief executive officer of the Calgary-based firm, told the Free Press that Sio Silica is working on a proposal for a new project.

He vowed this proposal will be different and will address concerns that contributed to the previous plan being denied, although he declined to explain how that will happen.

“We’re still working through what it will look like,” Somji said in a phone interview Tuesday.

He wouldn’t say if the company has identified potential new locations for wells or a processing facility.

A government spokesman said Tuesday “the province is not aware of any new applications or proposals related to Sio Silica.”

Somji confirmed Sio Silica’s plans for a new project, after the Free Press inquired about a presentation the company made to band members in Brokenhead First Nation on Sunday.

He said the company was invited to make the presentation amid ongoing discussions with Brokenhead’s chief and council, and it received positive feedback.

“We truly believe this project and this deposit have a great economic benefit to First Nation communities and the province as a whole,” said Somji.

Band members said Sio Silica made a pitch to drum up support for a proposed mining project.

“Our community members should know what they are facing.” –Taylor Galvin

“An elder told me (Sio Silica) were really trying to sell the project,” said Taylor Galvin, a Brokenhead member, environmentalist and staunch opponent of silica sand mining.

Galvin said Brokenhead should say no to silica sand mining, because environmental and human health risks outweigh potential benefits, such as jobs.

“Our community members should know what they are facing,” said Galvin, who has worked with First Nations affected by mining or hydroelectric projects. “Human health is dependent on healthy land and healthy water, and it’s deteriorating faster than we can restore it.”

She was unable to attend the meeting, because she was participating in a sacred sundance ceremony.

Galvin, who works in an environmental conservation lab and is pursuing her master’s degree in environmental studies, questioned why the meeting was held on a day when many people are busy with traditional ceremonies, church or family activities.

Four days before Sunday’s presentation, a post on Brokenhead’s Facebook account advertised a “major project meeting” and fish fry at the Private Tom Chief Memorial Hall.

“Please come hear a short presentation introducing a potential economic opportunity for our community,” the post stated. “Enjoy a provided meal, have the opportunity to learn more and ask questions at information stations. There will be door prizes and kid-friendly activities.”

The post did not include details about the nature of the project, nor did it identify who was making the presentation. The post said a Zoom link was available upon request.

Brokenhead Chief Gordon BlueSky was not available for an interview, a spokesperson said.

“Brokenhead Ojibway Nation will continue to work closely with our members as we advance our rights regarding potential resource development in our territory,” BlueSky said in a statement.

In February, the NDP government said risks outweighed potential benefits when it denied Sio Silica’s application for an environmental licence for a major mining project in southeastern Manitoba.

Sio Silica wanted to build a silica sand processing plant near Vivian, Man., and drill thousands of wells over 24 years to extract silica. Pure sand is used to make products such as solar panels and computer chips.

The province said Sio Silica proposed an unproven extraction method and the safety of drinking water could not be guaranteed. It said the project would have extracted sand through aquifers that provide drinking water to 100,000 Manitobans.

In response, Sio Silica accused the NDP of making a decision based on politics rather than science, facts or economic benefits.

In a statement that day, the company described the government’s refusal as “unfortunate news for Indigenous groups.”

The firm said it was in discussions with Brokenhead, situated about 55 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, for the location of advanced manufacturing facilities on the First Nation’s lands. It also said it was working with Peguis Special Projects and Consultation to conduct environmental monitoring.

Somji said Sio Silica decided not to appeal the decision.

He said the new proposal will reflect “comments and directions” from the NDP government’s decision, plus comments, suggestions or concerns from a Clean Environment Commission review and consultations with communities.

“We’ve taken to heart the comments made at the time of the announcement,” said Somji, referring to the province’s refusal to grant a licence.

Somji said Sio Silica could have done a better job last time of communicating the “safety and benefits” of the proposed project.

“I think there were a lot of misconceptions with our project,” he said.

“I think there were a lot of misconceptions with our project.”–Feisal Somji

In 2021, then-Brokenhead chief Deborah Smith wrote a letter expressing concerns toxins and runoff could end up in the Brokenhead River, which runs through reserve lands used for harvesting, cultural and gathering purposes, if Sio Silica’s previous proposal was approved.

The Clean Environment Commission’s 2023 report pointed to criticism or concerns about Sio Silica’s Indigenous and community consultation process.

The report said several participants and presenters stated the level of engagement was “not sufficient” for a project of that magnitude.

Somji indicated Sio Silica is trying to do things differently this time.

NDP caucus chair Mike Moyes has filed multiple ethics complaints accusing some former Progressive Conservative government members, including ex-premier Heather Stefanson, of trying to get Sio Silica’s licence approved between the party’s election loss and the NDP’s swearing-in ceremony in October.

Stefanson has denied any conflict. Ethics commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor is investigating.

Somji said Sio Silica did not ask the former PC government to approve the project during the brief caretaker period last fall.

He said the company is co-operating fully and has provided everything it has been asked for during the probe. He declined to say what was requested.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Chris Kitching
Reporter

Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris.

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