An Alberta-based mining company called Sio Silica has put forth a revised proposal for an environmental license to conduct drilling operations in southeastern Manitoba. The new application suggests a reduced number of wells and sand extraction compared to the original plan.
Following the rejection of its initial application in 2024 due to concerns raised by Manitoba’s Clean Environment Commission regarding potential impacts on water quality and geological stability, Sio Silica has made adjustments in its new proposal. The company intends to implement a phased approach, drilling wells gradually over the first five years and purifying the extracted water before re-injection underground.
By addressing previous concerns and scaling back operations, Sio Silica aims to demonstrate a more cautious and science-driven approach in its pursuit of the environmental license. The company plans to drill a total of 23 wells in the first year, increasing to 137 by the fifth year, with a maximum extraction of 1.9 million tonnes of sand over the initial five-year period.
The proposed drilling area has also been narrowed down to a 28-square-kilometer zone in the rural municipality of Springfield, compared to the original plan covering an 82-square-kilometer area. While some opposition persists, with concerns about potential environmental risks, Sio Silica is hopeful that its revised application will address these issues and secure approval through Manitoba’s environmental review process.
Premier Wab Kinew emphasized that the new application will undergo thorough scrutiny within the regulatory framework. The government remains open to collaboration with experts and environmentalists to evaluate future sand mining proposals in the region, ensuring a balanced approach to environmental protection and resource development.
