Cost Reduction Priority One

AbitibiBowater is looking at making more cost reductions to a company that has already seen deep cuts.

The company enjoyed a net profit of $61-million in the last quarter of this year.

But in a conference call to investors yesterday, CEO Richard Garneau says reducing costs remains at the top of the list.

Garneau says the company is still looking at $120-million on capital improvements at some of its mills.

Production Increases at Barwick

Ainsworth says production at its OSB mill in Barwick was at its best in the last three months of this year since acquiring it in 2004.

The mill saw a 10 per cent increase in production relative to the second quarter of 2010

CEO Rick Huff says the mill benefited from an extensive list maintenance and improvements done near the end of last year.

Energy Audit Planned

A number of municipal buildings in Fort Frances will get a thorough look over to see how the town can reduce its energy costs.

Honeywell will soon be starting energy audits on buildings considered high energy users or older facilities.

Travis Rob, the town's Sustainability Coordinator, says its findings will help identify improvements.

"Part of the project is to develop a five year plan," says Travis, "how to move forward on it, what should we tackle first, what's going to give us the best return first so we start generating as much cost savings as possible right off the start."

Rob says council could have a final report to consider by the time it begins next year's budget deliberations.

Comprehensive Study on Mine Started

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is giving the public an opportunity to comment on Osisko Mining's proposed Hammond Reef Gold Mine north of Atikokan.

It's to include two open pit mines, a mineral processing facility and a tailings management facility.

The agency has begun a so-called comprehensive study to examine the potential environmental issues and other concerns.

It will begin accepting comments beginning Monday for a one month period.

It's also providing $50,000 for individuals and groups to participate.

Post-Secondary Education Protest

Post-secondary student groups plan to scribble their priority issues for the October election outside Queen's Park today.

The University of Toronto Students' Union and the Canadian Federation of Students want parties to tackle what they call an underfunding crisis in provincial colleges and universities.

Docs Back Bicycling

The Ontario Medical Association wants to see the provincial government give bicycle safety a higher priority.

An O.M.A. report says with 26-thousand cycling-related emergency room visits in 2009, it's time to focus more on bike safety.

The doctors' group would like to see bicycle-safety lessons added to the curriculum in primary schools, and new drivers tested on how to share the road with cyclists.

Vehicle Disposal Program Wanted

A group representing auto recyclers wants Ontario's political parties to endorse a program that would regulate the disposal of old vehicles.

The Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association says two out of three so-called "end of life" vehicles in the province aren't managed to any environmental standard.

The association says an industry-led removal program wouldn't need consumer fees because recyclers make enough money from each vehicle to recover the disposal costs.

Catalina Adds Property

Catalina Metals is expanding its land base in northwestern Ontario.

The mining company says it's signed an agreement with Rubicon Minerals to obtain over 930 hectares near Cameron Lake.

Catalina intends to begin an exploration program of the area this year.