Long Plain to lead environmental review of controversial sand mine proposal

Long Plain First Nation has signed a memorandum of understanding with Sio Silica Corp. to lead an Indigenous-controlled environmental review and consultation process for its proposed silica sand mine near Vivian.

A news release from the First Nation said Friday the agreement establishes a framework for an independent process that incorporates Indigenous knowledge, environmental values and community input.

The First Nation is southwest of Portage la Prairie, about 150 kilometres west of Vivian.

Long Plain emphasized the memo does not signal support for the project, but said it ensures transparency, scientific rigour and cultural grounding to assess the impact of the controversial project that was rejected by the NDP government soon after it took office in October 2023.

“Our Nation will always make decisions that protect our lands, waters, and the well-being of future generations,” said Chief David Meeches in the release.

The Calgary mining company submitted a revised application to Manitoba’s Clean Environment Commission this week, and said it has taken into account concerns raised; it plans to drill fewer wells in a much smaller area.

The company’s original project proposed drilling more than 7,000 wells over 24 years across a large area of southeastern Manitoba, extracting more than 30 million tonnes of high-purity quartz silica — a material used in semiconductors, solar panels, fibre optics and other technologies.

In its revised submission, the company proposes a smaller-scale operation with added measures to safeguard water quality. Extraction would be phased in, reaching up to 500,000 tonnes annually by the fourth year. Water brought to the surface would be filtered, treated with ultraviolet light and returned underground, company documents say.

The original proposal faced strong opposition from residents concerned about the effect on drinking water in the region east of Winnipeg.

“This new project has been revised in consideration of the questions and concerns raised by the public, various Manitoba government departments and the CEC,” said company documents posted Tuesday by the agency.

The project was entangled in controversy after Manitoba’s ethics commissioner ruled that former premier Heather Stefanson and two of her cabinet ministers breached conflict-of-interest laws by trying to push its approval after losing the 2023 election. The commissioner did not find any wrongdoing by Sio Silica.

Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, the closest First Nation in the southeast region, voted against partnering on the new project.

Under the MOU, Long Plain will co-ordinate technical reviews, environmental analyses and community engagement for interested Treaty 1 Nations.

Sio Silica president Carla Devlin said the company respects Long Plain’s leadership and commitment to protecting the land.

“That perspective is vital to a responsible and transparent review process,” Devlin said in a release.

A public report summarizing findings and recommendations will be released after the review, with Long Plain retaining full discretion to suspend or end its participation if concerns arise or transparency standards are not met.

Premier Wab Kinew said Monday the proposal will go through the assessment process at the Clean Environment Commission, which is accepting public comments online.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca