In order to safely restart operations at their aluminum smelter, Rio Tinto Alcan has proposed changes to their waste discharge permit.
Last summer, Rio Tinto entered in to a months-long labour dispute which would force the shut down of most of their Kitimat smelter.
Now, the company is preparing for a phased restart to operations over an 8 month period between May and December.
But with 295 of the smelter’s 384 pots currently inactive, that restart will result in a measurable increase in emissions.
To allow for this, a pair of temporary changes to the company’s Multimedia Waste Discharge Permit have been proposed.
Those changes would see the allowable amount of total particulate matter go from 1.3 to 2.9 kgs per metric tonne, and fluoride emissions rise from 0.9 to 2.8 kg per tonne.
If approved, the changes would be in effect from May 2nd to December 31st.
As part of their regular meeting last night, District of Kitimat Councillors voted against sending their comments on the amendments to the Ministry of the Environment.
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