FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government welcomed the news today that the Sisson Mine received the federal government’s environmental assessment approval.
This step, along with the provincial environmental impact assessment approval and the accommodation agreement with First Nations, has allowed the project to reach significant milestones. It can now proceed with taking future steps, including solidifying offtake agreements and raising financial capital.
“Your government understands that creating jobs and growing the economy are important to New Brunswickers,” said Premier Brian Gallant. “The economic impact of the Sisson Mine project will be huge for New Brunswick. The federal environmental assessment approval moves this project one step closer to putting hundreds of New Brunswickers to work.”
“The Sisson project will bring about significant new economic opportunities to the people of New Brunswick,” said federal Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard Minister Dominic LeBlanc. “During construction and operations, it will create jobs and generate business opportunities, for Indigenous peoples and nearby communities. This project will also help rejuvenate New Brunswick’s mining industry and add a source of tungsten to Canada’s mineral production.”
The Sisson Partnership will invest an estimated $579 million in the mine development which will create 500 jobs during the construction phase and another 300 jobs over the 27-year life of the mine.
The provincial government estimates the project will result in $280 million in mineral royalties to New Brunswick, as well as $245 million in tax revenue over the life of the project.
“As a government, we support safe and responsible resource development for the benefit of all New Brunswickers,” said Energy and Resource Development Minister Rick Doucet. “Mining is a high-value industry that plays an important role in your government’s economic vision.”
In February, the province and six Maliseet First Nations reached an accommodation agreement to share economic opportunities from the new development. The agreement shares with Maliseet First Nations a projected 9.8 per cent of provincial royalty revenue that will be generated by the Sisson Mine project under the Metallic Minerals Tax Act.
“Woodstock First Nation will be working closely with Sisson Mines Ltd. and the provincial government to ensure that the project moves forward in an environmentally responsible manner and in a way that improves the economic reality of the people of Woodstock First Nation,” said Woodstock First Nation Chief Tim Paul. “It is a historic event to see this kind of partnership. It is one that all New Brunswickers can benefit from as it will hopefully lead to a more environmentally sustainable project.”
“Your government is committed to building upon the collaborative and productive relationship we have with First Nations to create jobs and economic growth,” said Carleton-Victoria MLA Andrew Harvey. “Agreements with the Maliseet First Nations will facilitate current and future resource development projects in the province, which will create jobs and increase economic activity for all New Brunswickers.”
Harvey spoke for Service New Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty, who is also minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs.
The New Brunswick Economic Growth Plan, the province’s framework for growing the economy and creating jobs for New Brunswickers, has identified the Sisson Mine project as one of the 12 key opportunities for economic growth in New Brunswick.
Background
- Sisson Mines Ltd. is proposing a development of an open pit tungsten and molybdenum mine, as well as an ore processing facility and associated infrastructure at a site approximately 10 kilometres southwest of Napadogan and 60 kilometres northwest of Fredericton.
- The project would operate for an estimated 27 years at a mining rate of 30,000 dry metric tonnes per day.
- The mine site sits on one of the largest deposits of tungsten in North America.
- In December 2015, the provincial government issued an environmental impact assessment to Sisson Mines Ltd. for their project, subject to 40 conditions to protect the environment.
- In April 2016, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency invited the public to comment on a Comprehensive Study Report for the project.
- The mine project also requires authorizations from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Natural Resources Canada, under the Fisheries Act and the Explosives Act, respectively. These authorizations trigger the requirement for a federal environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act S.C. 1992, c. 37 (the former act).
- The minerals sector provides employment for roughly 2,500 people in New Brunswick.
