New Brunswick Government OKs AIM’s Proposed Shredder

American Iron and Metal & (AIM), based in Montreal, has announced plans to begin construction of an industrial auto shredder in West Saint John, New Brunswick, after the project earned its final approval.

According to CBC News, AIM President Herb Black says that the company was given the regulatory approval to proceed with a $30-million scrap metal shredder expansion at its site, which is located on the Port of Saint John, New Brunswick, property.

This metal shredder, manufactured by Wendt Corp., is similar to the one AIM expects to install at its West Saint John site. It is capable of processing up to 250,000 metric tons of metal per year.

The New Brunswick Department of Environment gave the company an approval certificate in late December. However, the certificate came with 12 conditions.

According to the CBC, while the federal government gave its final approval, an official from the province's environment department says the project has not yet received the final certificate required to begin construction.

Jeff Crystal with AIM says that the company hopes to break ground on the auto shredder by the end of February 2011, with the shredder operational within nine to 12 months. The installation will not include a downstream system, he adds.

The facility would handle primarily ferrous scrap. Material shredded at the St. John site would be loaded onto vessels at the port and shipped out.

The expanded shredding facility could process up to 250,000 metric tons of scrap metal per year, a 500 percent increase in output from what the facility presently processes.

The proposed site encompasses an area of about 24 acres and is located near Pier 10 at the Port of Saint John. In its presentation to the community, the company notes that the facility would feature a number of measures to minimize and/or neutralize impacts to noise, water, air, safety and security during construction and once operational.

Steps the company will add to reduce the impact of the shredder include:

• Constructing a sound barrier based on the specifications obtained from an independent research firm Yockell Associés Inc. to neutralize any increases in noise during the shredding process;  
• Covering the site with rolled compacted concrete, which will allow for 99.7 percent sealing of the soil; and  
• Installing a water treatment system and drain guards designed to prevent pollutants and residue from entering the water systems.

An earlier report on the project is available at AIM Auto Shredder Installation.