Sand rebrand

[Oscar]

Sand rebrand

[ 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: . . . .

[Oscar]

The hanging sword of Damocles is upon us.

[ https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opini ... -jan-My3-6 ]

January 3, 2025

If a serious situation hangs by a thread, it means that even a change can decide what will happen and that a bad result such as death, failure, etc. is likely: the phrase is now commonly used to describe a looming danger or precarious situation.

Has the stench of political scandal surrounding Sio Silica’s controversial quartz silica mine and processing plant doomed the project? Remarkably, it still remains a live issue; even though it was rejected by the Kinew government in Feb. of 2024.

Even at the risk of contaminating the water aquifers for hundreds of thousand of people and creating massive sink holes, it is apparent that some officials are more interested and motivated in the 8000 ghost jobs that may be created in this catastrophic undertaking.

When will clearer minds prevail, to prevent this Armageddon from taking place? This is not an act of preserving and sustaining our water for the people of Manitoba.

Preserving our water sources is one of the most significant challenges facing the people of Manitoba, Canada and the world.

John Fefchak.
Virden, MB.
204 748 2521