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Noront is moving forward with the selection process for the new ferrochrome smelter and should announce the host community within the next three to four months. In a release, the company said it has retained Hatch, a Mississauga-based engineering and consulting company, to assist in adjudicating four bids it has received.
“Next steps include calculating indicative capital and operating costs, and reviewing these alongside community and First Nations support, site appropriateness, environmental factors, access to a skilled workforce and other elements,” Noront said.
“Near the conclusion of this detailed analysis, Noront will engage directly with the owners of the favoured site(s) to come to a mutually agreeable commercial arrangement for the use of the property.”
The submission period for site bids on the proposed ferrochrome production facility closed in February. Four completed bid packages were received by the deadline, from Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timmins.
“The company estimates the adjudication process will conclude in three to four months depending on the competitiveness and complexity of the bids and the ensuing commercial negotiations,” Noront added. “A decision will be publicly announced at that time along with the criteria and rationale for site selection.”
There has been vocal opposition to the $1-billion smelter in Sudbury and a group recently held a small protest in Wahnapitae to inform Sudburians of their concerns.
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