The Municipal District of Bighorn is not pleased by an additional six-month extension application Lafarge has requested for its multi-million dollar expansion.
The application to Environmental and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) Regulatory Approvals Centre requests an amendment to when the construction of the cement plant’s Kiln #6 and its associated equipment is to be completed by. It would change from the current May 31, 2015 deadline to Nov. 30, 2015. It would also include the continued operating approval of the existing Kiln #4 to the same date.
Bighorn outlined two concerns with the application in a Statement of Concern (SOC) issued to ESRD. The municipality cited impacts on the hamlets of Lac Des Arcs and Exshaw, the community adjacent to the plant, and the affects the two communities have felt during the ongoing expansion that began in 2014, including an amended dust management plan.
The MD’s letter included the way “negative effect” incidents over the past six months have weighed on the neighbouring communities, including a hydrated lime release this past July and a hydraulic fluid release, both of which left the plant’s boundaries and sprayed into the community. Also noted in the SOC letter was fugitive dust and increased traffic, among others.
Councillor Paul Ryan said when workers in hazardous material suits showed up during the hydraulic oil release in October it caused “grief” among residents in the community.
Lafarge’s proposed extension timeline would last over summer 2015, which “seriously curtails that enjoyment” period residents in those communities would face, the letter stated, and should an extension be given, then there should be “significantly more conditions” put in place for Lafarge to follow.
Bighorn Reeve Dene Cooper said during the Feb. 10 regular meeting that the letter is more about a conversation that needs to take place with Lafarge.
Bighorn and Lafarge haven’t had an opportunity to discuss concerns surrounding the application. Lafarge was disappointed they were not able to review any questions or concerns with council before they filed the SOC. Ron Braun, VP Projects at Lafarge, said the company would have liked to address them directly prior to the SOC.
“Our intention is to finish this expansion as quickly and safely as possible,” Braun said. “That’s in the best interest of the communities around it and in the best interest of Lafarge as well.
“This is a significant project in the area and because of that it does have an impact on our community. We are very motivated to address and mitigate whatever we can regarding impact.”
Unexpected occurrences such as abnormal weather conditions, particularly a lot of wind this winter, have affected Lafarge’s ability to operate cranes safely on the site, Braun said. He added a lack of manpower and supply issues with some of the equipment had also risen.
