With the greatest respect to the media, I believe I have been mis-scripted.
I have never said I do not want to have the chromite smelter in the Greater City of Sudbury. Certainly, a project like this would be good for the economy.
What I have said is, “Based on everything I have had access to in recent weeks, I must declare that I am totally against the current promotion of Coniston as a site for a chromite smelter.”
Originally, it was to be located in a remote area north of Capreol, which made more common sense.
Also in the paper that has been quoted in the Media, the two quotes below are direct from the conclusions the seven scientist made in 2017.
“However, even the most ideal process will still lead to some Cr(VI) being generated. Although the operability of process option was not discussed in this review, it is important to state that individual process steps cannot merely be strung together to find the best overall process to limit Cr(VI) formation, since certain processing steps are not compatible with others.”
“Since Cr(VI) formation cannot be totally eliminated, some Cr(VI) containing waste will be generated.”
As with any large project of this nature, there are many aspects to be examined prior to advocating the project. If those aspects have been examined, they have not been shared with me either personally or as a councillor.
Until I see evidence of those examinations, I stand by my opinion that the site should not be promoted without them.
Michael Vagnini
Councillor, Ward 2