Coniston micro-smelter commences operations

Coniston Minerals Inc. has announced the successful commissioning of its micro-smelter in Coniston. Smelter operations will commence and begin ramp-up to full production, the company said in a release today.

Loof Lirpa/Special to The Star

Coniston Minerals Inc. has announced the successful commissioning of its micro-smelter in Coniston. Smelter operations will commence and begin ramp-up to full production, the company said in a release today.

Construction and commissioning activities have been underway at Coniston Minerals Inc. for the past two years after nearly a decade of pre-feasibility studies and technology development. Company operations are based out of the decommissioned Inco smelter site in Coniston. It is set to produce platinum-group metals (PGMs) with minimal environmental impact.

"This facility is likely the greenest metallurgical site in North America," Vic Frappier, president of the company, said in a release.

Black Liquor Pyrolysis (BLP), a proprietary processing technique developed for this operation, is one of several local technologies being used in the facility to help its processes to be carbon neutral and have virtually no impact on the quality of nearby air and water.

BLP, which uses residues from the forestry industry, is the product of local research.

Over the past eight years, it has been developed through a project lead by Gordon Marrs, principal at Gordon Marrs Consulting.

"This really is an extraordinary achievement - our research team is thrilled to have contributed to such an advancement in metallurgical technology. This has once again put Sudbury on the map, Marrs said.

Once in full production, it is expected that Coniston Minerals Inc. will sustain approximately 85 full time positions; a much needed shot in the arm for the local economy that has seen its share of setbacks in the mining industry over recent years.

"Economic revitalization in Coniston is a welcomed addition to our community." says Deb McIntosh, the city's Ward 9 Councilor.

Residents in the community will probably notice one of the stacks over Coniston is back in service and may notice a distinct odor of wood smoke.

Questions and inquiries can be directed to Sloof Lipra, the company's director of public relations, who can be reached by phone at 705-694-4713 on weekdays between the hours of 7 am and noon.

Link: http://www.thesudburystar.com/2016/04/01/coniston-micro-smelter-commences-operations