The Smelter and Refinery Complex
November 29, 1996 marked the beginning of a new era for Argentia,
one that will keep the facility on the world stage. It was the day
the Voisey's Bay Nickel Company announced Argentia as the preferred
site to build their new $1.5 billion smelter and refinery complex
in Argentia.
The competition was intense for the project. In the year leading
up to that decision, many communities submitted proposals to attract
the smelter and refinery to their area. However, with an operation
of this magnitude, there were strict selection criteria.
In the end, Argentia was able to meet all criteria:
- Ice-Free Port: Argentia offers an excellent deep-water,
ice-free port, rated among the best in Atlantic Canada.
- Land: Argentia has plenty of developed, flat land already
zoned for industrial use.
- Supporting Infrastructure: Because of the former US
Naval Base, much of the infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, etc.)
already exists.
- People: The people of the western Avalon have a long
history of involvement in heavy industry. Well-educated and highly
skilled, they are a motivated and committed work force.
- Electrical Capacity: A major electrical substation already
exists in the neighbouring community of Long Harbour.
- Proximity to St. John's: The province's centre of government
and finance is just a 90 minute drive over excellent paved highways.
- Quality of Life: Known for its low crime rate, affordable
housing, and real sense of community, the western Avalon offers
medical services, fire protection, schools, restaurants, shopping,
historic sites, wildlife, and a great variety of indoor and outdoor
recreational activities.
Since that time, circumstances have changed the company's decision
to build a smelter refinery complex, not the least of which was
the environmental assessment recommending a 20 year or longer recovery
period for the current known mine reserve. This will see Voisey
Bay Nickel Company develop a hydromet processing facility in Argentia.
This facility will be developed in two stages. The initial demonstration
plant creating 200 jobs should be on line by 2005/6, and the full
processing plant by 2007/8. Capital cost on the full processing
facility is estimated at $1 billion dollars.
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