Sand rebrand
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2025 10:56 amSand rebrand
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"Sio Silica has launched a charm offensive with Brokenhead Ojibway Nation in hopes of securing provincial go-ahead for a repackaged silica sand mine project"
Winnipeg Free Press - December 17, 2024
EXCERPT: "In the months since Sio Silica was denied an environmental licence to mine silica sand from southeastern Manitoba, the company has quietly regrouped, rebranded and begun laying the groundwork to reapply for provincial approval — starting with a push to win the support of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation.
It has pitched the mine — now called project SiMBA — in closed-door meetings to Brokenhead members with the promise of benefits, including an equity share valued at more than $10 million per year, employment and training opportunities, and an environmental-monitoring committee made up of community members.
The Fress Press/Narwhal have obtained a recording of one of three closed round-table meetings the company held with the First Nation in early November.
“We want to communicate, we apologize we didn’t do it in a better way before,” Sio Silica CEO Feisal Somji told about a dozen Brokenhead members at one of the meetings. “We wanted to come and talk to everyone first and get feedback and see if we have to make changes.… And we want to partner.”
But some Brokenhead members are wary of Sio Silica’s promises and worry the company has yet to address the proposal’s environmental risks. The Brokenhead River, members note, runs through the lands where Sio Silica plans to mine. . . . . "
More: . . . .
[ https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/break ... nd-rebrand ]
"Sio Silica has launched a charm offensive with Brokenhead Ojibway Nation in hopes of securing provincial go-ahead for a repackaged silica sand mine project"
Winnipeg Free Press - December 17, 2024
EXCERPT: "In the months since Sio Silica was denied an environmental licence to mine silica sand from southeastern Manitoba, the company has quietly regrouped, rebranded and begun laying the groundwork to reapply for provincial approval — starting with a push to win the support of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation.
It has pitched the mine — now called project SiMBA — in closed-door meetings to Brokenhead members with the promise of benefits, including an equity share valued at more than $10 million per year, employment and training opportunities, and an environmental-monitoring committee made up of community members.
The Fress Press/Narwhal have obtained a recording of one of three closed round-table meetings the company held with the First Nation in early November.
“We want to communicate, we apologize we didn’t do it in a better way before,” Sio Silica CEO Feisal Somji told about a dozen Brokenhead members at one of the meetings. “We wanted to come and talk to everyone first and get feedback and see if we have to make changes.… And we want to partner.”
But some Brokenhead members are wary of Sio Silica’s promises and worry the company has yet to address the proposal’s environmental risks. The Brokenhead River, members note, runs through the lands where Sio Silica plans to mine. . . . . "
More: . . . .