Edmonton, Alberta-Agrimax Ltd., Irricana, Alberta, probably won’t be getting its Irricana sulfur-based fertilizer plant up and running again anytime soon because of an order from Alberta Environment indefinitely suspending approval to operate because of numerous regulatory issues since 2003 and enforcement orders in 2005 “which Agrimax has not come into compliance with.” The order states further that contamination on the sulfur processing site, including unauthorized releases of industrial wastewater and improper waste storage, has not been managed appropriately, and because of this and other infractions the plant cannot resume operations until Agrimax is in full compliance. Agrimax is also ordered to develop and implement upgrades to the sulfur handling facilities; develop and implement a groundwater remediation program and a program for the management of contaminated soil at the plant site; upgrade the existing industrial run-off pond; and implement an inspection and maintenance program for the plant and complete a third-party assessment of the facility to ensure that any future operation of the plant does not pose a risk to public health or the environment. Agrimax Chairman Claude St-Martin was not available to comment, but told the local press the plant, which was in poor shape when it was purchased by the company in 2002, has already been shut down for the past year due to the economic downturn and a number of other problems. He said only a relatively small amount of processed water was released from a holding pond and a leaking pipe containing some sulfur. St-Martin said he hoped to start environmental remediation work soon.
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