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Press Release Archive
Argentia Recoils
Press Release - January 19, 2006
The Argentia Management Authority Inc. (AMA) expressed severe disappointment
that Voisey’s Bay Nickel Company Limited (VBNC), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Inco Limited, found it necessary to announce that
they would be unable to construct their Processing Plant in Argentia
for reasons expressed in the VBNC news release dated January 17,
2006. VBNC originally announced on November 29, 1996 that Argentia
was the preferred site for their nickel processing operation of
the ore mined at Voisey’s Bay Labrador. This commitment was re-affirmed
in the agreement signed between VBNC and the Province of Newfoundland
and Labrador in September 2002. Argentia contained all the amenities
the company sought at the time including being on an unencumbered,
ice free, tidewater location.
Harvey Mercer, Chairperson of AMA said, “this is a significant shock
and surprise to Argentia and we as an organization feel betrayed
by VBNC in that they have obviously worked on the information that
led to the announcement for a considerable period of time without
sharing it with the AMA especially considering Scott Hand’s positive
comments at the opening of the Demonstration Plant just 3 months
ago that the event heralded nothing but positive information for
Argentia’s future. It is very unfortunate that the AMA and local
area residents received news on the VBNC move from a “leaked source”
in the Evening Telegram.” The AMA held Argentia lands in abeyance
awaiting VBNC construction and has endured numerous restrictions
on the type of land development because certain activities would
supposedly conflict with VBNC processing plant operations.
Mercer continued that, “having just received a briefing on the VBNC
position we cannot at this time comment on the rationale used by
the company for their Processing Plant move, pending further investigation.
We are pleased that VBNC is supportive of the area’s ongoing economic
development and that the Managing Director of VBNC believes the
Argentia site could be home to other commercial operations. We will
continue to investigate other alternate operations with VBNC that
could locate in the Placentia/ Argentia area. We are also pleased
that Long Harbour is the alternate site and that Placentia will
have the opportunity to avail of jobs and other economic spin off
opportunities.”
The announcement is certainly an economic blow to the Placentia
area, and will have a significant negative impact on business and
personal investment decisions for quite some time. However, the
AMA will continue work to diversify Placentia’s economy through
re-development of Argentia and adding to the several successes already
in evidence. In addition the AMA will continue to maintain a true
partnership with VBNC and work closely with the company to maximize
benefits for the Placentia/Argentia area.
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For further information:
Mr. Harvey Mercer, Chairperson
Argentia Management Authority
Telephone: (709) 227-2554
Mr. Ken Browne, General Manager
Argentia Management Authority
Telephone: (709) 227-5518
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