Watch the video above: reaction to government approval of a metal processing plant in Langham
REGINA – The Saskatchewan government has given the green light to the construction and operation of a metal processing plant in Langham.
Government officials said the proposal from Fortune Minerals was found to be both environmentally and technically sound under The Environmental Assessment Act after the initial proposal was sent back to the company to do some additional work on their application.
“This is an important milestone toward bringing this state of the art metals processing facility to Saskatchewan,” said Robin Goad, president and CEO of Fortune.
“We intend to work closely with the communities near our site to earn their support and demonstrate the benefits of the project.”
Fortune can now move forward to obtain the necessary approvals, permits and licences to build and run the Saskatchewan Metals Processing Plant on a plot of land 2.5 kilometres from the town located northwest of Saskatoon.
A government-wide technical review of the project included a full assessment of groundwater availability, the potential for groundwater contamination and to ensure that all activity is well within Saskatchewan’s stringent environmental standards.
The Water Security Agency confirmed that the proposed use of groundwater is sustainable and the Dalmeny aquifer has the capacity to meet the needs of both Fortune and existing licensed users of the aquifer.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to protecting our environmental resources, and maintaining an enviable quality of life for our residents,” Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said in a release.
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“Saskatchewan’s Environmental Assessment program provides a comprehensive and integrated approach to decision-making to ensure that key environmental safeguards are in place while supporting a growing economy.”
“Saskatchewan has a rigorous environmental review process and we are pleased to have received approval to advance our project,” added Goad.
The project will be subject to stringent ongoing monitoring and reporting from construction through operation, decommissioning and reclamation activities
Fortune will also be required to provide a financial deposit, to be held in safekeeping by the government, to ensure there is no long-term liability to the province or its residents.
The plant would process around 65,000 tonnes of ore each year transported by rail from the company’s mine in the Northwest Territories into gold, bismuth, cobalt and copper products.
It is expected the $200 million project will create 200 jobs over the construction period and create approximately 100 permanent positions for the region.
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