Terrace Bay Pulp has another debt to add to its list.
The latest bill comes as mill owners, the Buchanan Group, try to exit creditor protection in order to restart the operation. On Monday the mill was fined $150,000 in provincial court for three counts of violating the Environmental Protections Act.
Officials with the Ministry of the Environment told TBT News Thursday that the first violation occurred in February 2008. At the time, a boiler broke down allowing an unknown amount of industrial chemicals, known as black liquor, into the sewer system.
The second and third infractions took place in May 2008 when approved air emissions were exceeded after an air-cleaning scrubber failed.
Mill workers and residents reported feeling nauseous as a result of sulphur in the air. The company now has 90 days to pay the fine.
Meanwhile, the company’s general counsel, Yves Fricot, said the courts have recently approved the company’s plans to exit creditor protection.
Creditors will now vote on the plan on June 21. The mill employed about 370 people before shutting down more than a year ago.
