A proposed silica sand mining operation in the RM of Springfield may have much more serious consequences than the mining company is letting on.

“I’m really concerned that [Springfield] Council is being duped by CanWhite Sands. They’re taking them at their word, and they don’t deserve that, as a company.”

Gibson says tests conducted at the site have yielded unsettling results (photo credit: Janine Gibson). As a Professional Organic Inspector, Janine Gibson cares for the environment. As a former Springfield resident, she cares for the good of the municipality. This project, she says, will likely fly in the face of both.

“I am surprised that the councillors are not being more circumspect and responsible in their decision making,” Gibson states, “and I do think they are being a little bit too anxious to bend over to business.”

If their operation is approved, CanWhite hopes to drill hundreds of holes 200 feet below the RM and extract what the company’s Chief Operation Officer is calling an exceptionally pure deposit of silica sand. The project is valued at 80 million dollars.

Back in June, roughly 30 residents joined together to protest the mine. At that time, their main issue was the risk of silicosis, a lung disease commonly linked to the sand. Gibson validates that worry, but says it “pales in comparison” to the risk posed to the aquifer and, by extension, to thousands of homes and agricultural operations. As the sole source of potable water in much of southeastern Manitoba, Gibson says protecting the aquifer is vital.

According to Gibson, the primary problem with the operation is the boreholes into the aquifer that are necessary to do the mining. She says the holes are challenging to seal off completely and are therefore potential gateways for manure from field runoff or overland floodwaters; either of which could contaminate the water source. She says the sheer scale of this operation is staggering and frightening.

“7 million cubic meters of water will be withdrawn from the aquifer per year along with the sand. This is enough water for 64,0000 people and will certainly be beyond the sustainable limit for the aquifer. Most of that water, 6.5 million cubic meters, must be discharged. The drainage path is to the Brokenhead River so the acid drainage carrying heavy metals will discharge into the Brokenhead. Some acid and heavy metals will seep into the aquifer." She continues, "CanWhite plans to produce 1.36 million tonnes of sand a year... the amount of water that will be withdrawn from the aquifer along with the sand is beyond comprehension."

Just recently, Gibson says a borehole from the CanWhite testing site was found wide open, apparently abandoned after a test done many months ago. That kind of negligence, she says, is not helping the company’s case.

After commissioning some scientific assessments of the sand itself, Gibson says she also found that “the acid runoff from cleaning the sand is much higher than what is being reported by CanWhite” and that “if as little as a pinch is [inhaled] into a child’s lungs it can cause serious COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) later in life.”

Silica sand (photo credit: CanWhite Sands)Several residents living near the proposed mine stand alongside Gibson in her passionate opposition of the project. One ratepayer, Tanzi Bell, believes her councillors are making a mistake.

“As the one’s who vote for them, put them in their positions, and pay for their wages… no, we don’t feel supported. We feel that they are representing the interest of big business more than the safety and security of the people.”

Springfield Mayor Tiffany Fell says she is somewhat alarmed by the push back. Council, she notes, has not approved the plant, nor will they do so without a proper Environment Act Proposal and a conditional use hearing.

“We are still waiting to find out from hydrologists if this project is going to be safe for the aquifer,” she offers. “Our council is very very keen to make evidence-based decisions and we need to see that study before we make our decision. Protecting our water supply is a priority.”

Fell is of the opinion that, in reality, there are only a select few individuals who are strongly against the project moving forward. In a municipality of 15,000 people, she guesses maybe 15 are upset. As Fell understands it, most ratepayers are happy to increase the local tax base and see 50 new jobs added to the region.

CanWhite Sands COO Brent Bullen, meanwhile, assures any worried residents that they will be careful.

“Preservation of the aquifers is of highest priority as CanWhite Sands intends to have a long future in Manitoba and success occurs by being good responsible neighbors.”

He also directly addresses Gibson’s critique of the boreholes, noting CanWhite will be using the “highest standard and materials” for borehole abandonment including the use of “proper mechanical and cement closures” which are said to last longer than the typical pea gravel-bentonite coverings.

“The utilization of cement over grout provides a longterm, nonporous, permanent, and inert barrier completely restoring the aquitard required to properly and safely preserve a confined aquifer.”

As Bullen indicates, CanWhite Sands plans on sharing their process with the public and keeping them well informed in order to avoid discomfort.