Feds, province to contribute up to $272M toward proposed Manitoba silica sand mining, processing

Original Report: www.cbc.ca(full story)

An Alberta company, Canadian Premium Sand, aims to mine silica sand in Manitoba to produce solar panel glass. It has secured letters of intent for up to $272 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments, covering nearly a third of the $880-million project’s start-up costs. The mining will occur at Hollow Water First Nation, while processing will take place in Selkirk. The federal government will contribute $100 million in grants and loan guarantees to First Nations, while the province will provide $40 million in loans and construct a $32-million access road. The company plans to operate the quarry for seven months a year and process sand year-round, targeting an output of 800 tonnes per day. The demand for high-quality silica sand is increasing due to growth in the solar energy sector. Jamie Moses, Manitoba’s economic development minister, supports the project for its strategic and economic benefits. The facility is expected to create around 250 jobs in Selkirk and 20 in Hollow Water. The glass-processing facility would be the largest private investment in Selkirk’s history. The energy-intensive furnace will primarily use natural gas, while some processes may utilize hydroelectric power, with a potential for solar panel integration. There is some opposition to the project, with concerns raised regarding its environmental licensing.