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Silica plant company still weighing options

HI Test Sand is still considering the Golden area for their silica plant, however the site will be used to mine the silica.

Hi Test Sand continues to weigh its options with regards to a proposed large scale Silica plant, and the Golden area remains in the hunt for an operation that would generate numerous well-paying jobs for the area.

The Edmonton-based company has purchased a 60 acre plot of land south of town and is currently clearing that area, but that doesn’t mean that a final decision has been made regarding the location of the plant.

If Golden isn’t chosen for the site, silica will still be mined on that land, but that would only generate a handful of jobs as opposed to the approximately 180 full-time jobs that would be needed for the full operation.

Hi Test Sand Vice-President John Carlson expects that the company will make a final decision in about a month’s time.

Golden is one of two final candidates for the operation, along with Addy, Washington.