HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-02-18, Page 3Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - Page A3
Goderich salt mine celebrates 50th anniversary
Sifto Canada still thriving
despite global recession
As the Goderich mine begins a year
of celebrating its Golden Anniversary,
Sifto Canada Corp. and its employees
can look back at their success while
working to sustain a growing business.
"This year, we will celebrate 50 years
of continuous mining operations in
the town of Goderich, but the salt re-
serves are able to support mining here
for generations to come," said Rowland
Howe, Manager of the Sifto salt mine.
"Even during a period when the world-
wide economic downturn has reached
deep into our community, the Goder-
ich mine continues to grow, investing
in expanded production and additional
employees." Since 2006, Sifto' has an-
nounced two major investments at the
Goderich mine totaling $85 million,
which will increase capacity to more
than 9 million tons per year by 2012.
This increased capacity brings with it
several benefits:
•The new underground mill installed
in 2007 has proven its ability to handle
increasing demand. •New hoist capac-
ity will increase our production capac-
ity and allow for more planned main-
tenance. •The new south mining panel
not only adds to our production capacity
but also offers an alternative source of
supply should anything happen to limit
the supply from the north mining area.
•Planned increases in both onsite and
offsite storage can reduce dependence
on lake transportation and put Sifto in a
position to be a year-round producer.
'Jobs Creation More importantly, in-
creased capacity has brought new job
opportunities at a time when most com-
panies are downsizing and cutting sala-
ries. In 2005, the Goderich mine em-
ployed 415. Today,, that number is 473,
a 14 percent increase, and it's expected
to continue to rise to 500 associates by
2012. The additional jobs include both
trade and operations roles, with pay
rates among the highest in the region.
"Working at Sifto's Goderich mine re-
mains a much sought-after career for
people living
locally and
has also intro-
duced many
new people to
the town and
surrounding'
area," Howe
said. "We rec-
ognize we are
regarded by many as the employer of
choice and proud to say we have some
families who now have the third gener-
ation working with us." Giving Back to
the Community The benefits of Sifto's
continued expansion also extend to the
community of Goderich. Mine employ-
ees have had a history of giving back
to the community including through
the United Way, with their generosity
matched by Sifto, totaling more than
$250,000 in the last seven years. "We
recognize the impact a business of this
size has, and our donations demonstrate
our commitment to this town and the
surrounding community," Howe said.
In late 2008, Sifto announced that its
Goderich mine and evaporation plant
had pledged $250,000 for a CT Scanner
at Alexandra Marine & General Hospi-
Photos submitted
Above, The Sifto Salt mine as it
stood in 1968. Below, a more recent
image of the mining operation.
tal. The con-
tribution by
Sifto was the
largest single
corporate do-
nation and
completed
the hospi-
tal's capital
campaign to
provide the
first CT'scan-
ner •— named
the Sifto CT
Scanner -- for
Huron County's 60,000 residents. The
announcement was the second large
pledge from the company, which ajso
sponsors the Sifto Arena. Origins of
Michigan Salt Ba-
sin The Goderich
mine can be proud
of its rich history.
Its origins date
back to 1866, when
Sam Platt was
prospecting for oil.
Instead, his drilling
rig hit paydirt of a
different kind when
it struck rock salt
almost 1,000 feet
beneath Goderich
Harbour. Platt's
salt discovery was
near the edge of
a huge • geological
formation called
the Michigan Salt
Basin. In 1919,
banker Charles
Wurtele purchased
the operations, now
called the Goder-
ich Salt Company,
and it became the
largest industry in
Huron County. E.P.
Taylor took control
of the company,
and eventually it
became a wholly
owned subsidiary
of Domtar Limited.
The name Sifto was
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Where comfort and style
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For your cofflplirnentary
In-hoine consultation
Ratt! jr Fitft7la M(fCGittty
519-524-5773
introduced in 1955. 50 Years of Growth
Only since the late 1950s has salt actu-
ally been mined in the Goderich area.
When it became apparent that rock salt
was a growth market, Sifto took action,
constructing a mining shaft from 1957
to 1959. Production increased further
when a second shaft was added in 1968,
and a third in 1983. Today, at a depth
of 1,750 feet, the Goderich mine is the
largest salt mine in the world, measur-
ing about one and a half miles wide and
extending two miles into Lake Huron.
Since its inception in 1959, the mine
has produced 150 million tons of salt.
We are proud of all our present and past
employees who have contributed to our
half century of success and made it pos-
sible for Sifto thrive in this community.
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Highway 21 south of Goderich at Hyundai of Goderich.
519-524-1795
Iniguar* .
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GODER&CH atf
Canada's prettiest town
•
ATTENTION
ALL DOG
OWN!IS
Dog tags are now DUE! Pursuant to By-law No. 41 of 2008,
Schedule E and By-law No. 59 of 1998 the licence fees are
as follows:
a) for each neutered male dog $20.00
b) for each spayed female dog $20.00
c) for each male dog ' $45.00
d) for each female dog $45.00
e) replacement licence (tag) $10.00
f) Pit Bull $120.00
Any person who fails to renew a dog licence on or before
the 28th day of February shall be .subject to a penalty of
an additional $15.00
WARNING: If your dog is caught running at large and
taken to the dog pound, substantial pound fees will be
applied before releasing the dog and you may be liable for
a fine and administration charge.
tit Tags are available at the Town Hall, 64 West Street,
Goderich, Ontario.
aff
Larry J. McCabe
Clerk -Administrator
�► Town of Goderich
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