Northern Pulp Mill Gears Up for Planned Indefinite Closure

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation has commenced winding down of its mill operations, so as to meet the Jan 31 deadline imposed by the provincial government. As per government order, the Pictou County mill is supposed to stop pumping wastewater into the Northumberland Strait.

According to company press release, the plant operations will be restricted to wood waste boiler by early next week. Also, in the forthcoming weeks, the company will remove chemicals, pulp and wood fibre from mill storage tanks, piping and wood yards. The company is in discussions with the N.S. government on hibernation plans. The shutdown has become inevitable after the rejection of the company’s new focus report detailing the operations of the proposed effluent treatment facility.

Meantime, Nova Scotia Department of Environment announced that Northern Pulp intends to move ahead with the environmental assessment process for a new effluent treatment plant. The announcement to this effect came from Paper Excellence Canada- the mill’s parent company.

ALSO READ: Unifor Stands Up for Northern Pulp's New Effluent Treatment Facility Project

The company, in a statement, noted that it is currently focussed on supporting the affected employees and preparing the mill for a safe and environmentally responsible hibernation. It will continue to work with the government of Nova Scotia and other stakeholders to determine the next steps of action, it said.