Worthington Mackenzie mill deal is dead

The proposed deal for China's United Petroleum Group to purchase the Worthington Mackenzie mill has fallen apart.

The deal has apparently fell apart over an estimated $20 million in outstanding costs that remain unpaid.

Former workers of the mill warn that the boilers have been shut down since July and if they aren't restarted by November, vital operating systems will freeze.

Worthington Mackenzie has not been involved in the mill's operation since it stopped paying maintenance workers last January.

The provincial government has spent an estimated $6.5 million on the mill since then, which it is only likely to collect if the mill is sold. Worthington Mackenzie also owes more than $4 million in back taxes to the town of Mackenzie, British Columbia. Costly effluent permits also need to be paid.

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Deal to restart pulp mill in Mackenzie dies (Vancouver Sun)