Manitoba approves silica sand project near Lake Winnipeg, with solar jobs coming to Selkirk
CBC
A silica sand mining project will move forward in a community east of Lake Winnipeg, led by a company that plans to create manufacturing jobs in the solar sector in the Interlake — but some opponents of the project say they're still not confident the work can be done safely.
Canadian Premium Sand was given approval to mine silica in Hollow Water First Nation and create a solar glass production facility in the city of Selkirk, the Manitoba government announced Wednesday.
"This is a hard-working community with a long and proud tradition and a blue-collar work ethic that also has an environmentally progressive leadership," Premier Wab Kinew said during a news conference in Selkirk, adding his government believes "in the power of good jobs to transform lives and to grow communities."
Kinew said the announcement is part of the NDP government's critical mineral strategy aimed at growing the low-carbon economy.
The mining and production facility are expected to bring in $2 billion in provincial taxes over a decade, or $200 million annually, according to a provincial news release.
Canadian Premium Sand has been pursuing the project for several years and received licensing approvals in 2019 and 2023, but faced delays and criticism over potential risks.
The company has indicated it plans to use silica sand extracted near Hollow Water in the production of solar glass at the Selkirk manufacturing plant, the province said.
Canadian Premium projects it will be able to make up to 800 tonnes of the glass — used in solar panels — daily at what the province says will be the only low-carbon solar patterned glass plant of its kind in North America.
Construction could bring between 600 and 700 temporary jobs, while the mining and production facility are expected to generate 30 jobs near Hollow Water and 250 in Selkirk, the province said.
Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson said the production facility aligns with ongoing efforts to transition municipal services to greener alternatives.
"This green initiative will be to Manitoba what oil and gas was to Alberta in the past," said Johannson. "This is going to be the future."
Two appeals tried to stop the projects last year, but were ultimately dismissed after the NDP government did "months of careful review" of the environmental licences, said Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt.
"We listened to those who were in favour and we listened to those who had concerns, we worked with experts to walk through every detail, and throughout this we continued to hear that these projects are safe and environmentally responsible," said Schmidt.
"I am confident these projects will be done responsibly and safely."
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