Omya Asks
For Fair Review
I appreciated the invitation to attend the public meeting at Barrett Hall last Thursday to discuss the potential for Omya to explore one possible solution to the acid mine drainage problems at the Elizabeth Mine

I personally respect Annette Smith and while we may not always see eye to eye, I do agree with one of the opening statements in her presentation in which she supported the use of "facts and information to make informed decisions."

Omya’s Vermont operations produce ground limestone (calcium carbonate) for a range of applications from paper-making to building materials: products that are used around the world and here in Vermont.

A by-product of our operations is tailings that contain calcium carbonate and other naturally occurring minerals. Our tailings also contain minor amounts of process chemicals that readily biodegrade. We have been managing our tailings at our Florence facility for nearly 30 years and our ongoing environmental monitoring programs have not demonstrated any adverse human health or environmental effects.

The successful use of calcium carbonate to treat acid mine drainage is well documented and for the past three years we have been working closely with the State of Vermont, the U.S. EPA and the University of Vermont on the technical merits of our proposal to utilize Omya’s tailings to improve the environmental conditions at the Elizabeth Mine.

Test results have demonstrated that Omya’s mineral tailings neutralize acid mine waste and provide a healthy environment in which a protective vegetative cover crop (i.e. grass) can flourish.  

I believe that, when given a fair review, these test results point towards a possible beneficial use for Omya’s tailings at the Elizabeth Mine. Such a beneficial use would also further the waste prevention and diversion goals of Vermont’s Solid Waste Management Plan.

What I heard from the community at the Thursday public meeting was a willingness to examine the facts behind our proposal. We recognize the importance of this community process and we welcome an open and honest dialogue where information can be shared, discussed and fairly scrutinized.

We look forward to working together, with the community, the State of Vermont and the U.S. EPA, on such a process. Based on the conclusion of that effort, we will be able to collectively chart a course ahead that incorporates community, environmental and economic considerations.

Thank you for the opportunity to work together.

James A. Hamilton, P.E.

Vice President for Environmental and External Affairs

Omya Industries, Inc.

Proctor