MHCA seeks speedy response on outstanding quarry rehab payments
The MHCA has sent a letter to the provincial government asking for full payment to contractors who completed quarry rehabilitation work in 2018, or a full explanation as to why the funds are withheld.
The letter, sent to Growth, Enterprise and Trade this week, seeks a response in 10 days. The MHCA has collected further detail in the total owed to industry companies in the program, which was suspended last year when a review began by the Mines Branch.
“It is incredible more than $600,000 – that we know about – remains outstanding to companies that completed rehabilitation of spent pits and quarries,” said MHCA President Chris Lorenc.
The letter was sent following the MHCA Board of Directors’ discussion at the September 24 meeting.
“There are options to pursue payments owed, but we view expedited payment is best.”
The contractors sent their invoices to the Mines Branch upon completion of rehab work in 2018. Under the Quarry Rehabilitation Program, aggregate producers pay a per-tonne fee to the provincial Mines Branch, with those revenues set aside in a reserve that then funds rehabilitation work. The reserve is administered by the Mines Branch.
Although rehabilitation has been suspended, aggregate producers are still required to pay per-tonne fees for extraction of material.
Some payments were made this summer, but with so much money outstanding the industry is becoming increasingly impatient with the lack of response from the department.
“There really is no good explanation for why this has had to escalate to this level. Where work is completed, payment should be made in full; that’s all we are asking for, on behalf of these contractors,” Lorenc said.
The Heavy News will update the industry on any development on the program.
Contractors who are owed payment and have not had contact with MHCA are encouraged to call Lorenc at 204-947-1379, or by email at clorenc@mhca.mb.ca
