Coating its neighbours in Wahnapitae with a layer of dust was enough to convict Sudbury’s Mohawk Garnet of one offence under the Environmental Protection Act with a resulting fine of $250,000.
The company, which filed for bankruptcy in April 2016, was a mineral exploration and development company that processed mica, garnet, and hornblende.
Its plant was located on Kukagami Lake Road in Wahnapitae on the east side of the City of Greater Sudbury. The operation processed and packaged mined materials used in the abrasives industry.
From June 21, 2014, until to July 21, 2015, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change received complaints about dust that was being emitted from the company’s plant.
A July 20 ministry news release said residents along the road complained that dust emanating from the plant was covering their land, possessions, and was causing discomfort to residents who were inhaling the dust.
Plant visits by ministry staff identified the fugitive dust sources. Samples were taken from two residential properties on Kukagami Lake Road and were determined to be ground minerals consistent with the product produced at Mohawk Garnet.
The matter was turned over to the ministry’s investigation and enforcement branch and charges were laid. The company later declared bankruptcy.
Along with the fine, the company has to pay a victim fine surcharge of $62,500. The company was given 15 days to pay.
