N.B. tungsten mine wins environmental approval

FREDERICTON • A major New Brunswick mining project — tapping into one of North America’s largest deposits of tungsten — has received federal environmental assessment approval.

The Sisson Mine project would see the development of an open pit tungsten and molybdenum mine near Stanley, about 60 kilometres northwest of Fredericton.

It would be the only mine in North America for tungsten, which is used in X-ray tubes and smartphone screens.

Right now, China dominates the global tungsten market.

“I think that North America and Canada benefit strategically from having a safe, long-term, viable and reliable access to this mineral,” said federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Dominic LeBlanc — New Brunswick’s federal regional minister.

The Sisson Mine, proposed by Northcliff Resources, would also include an ore processing facility. The company still needs to secure financing.

The $579 million project is expected to create 500 jobs during construction and 300 jobs over the 27-year life of the mine.

The provincial government estimates the project will result in $280 million in mineral royalties and $245 million in tax revenue over the life of the mine.

“Today’s announcement is the result of a rigorous, scientific environmental assessment at both the federal and provincial levels,” LeBlanc told a news conference in Fredericton.

In February, the provincial government signed an accommodation agreement with six Maliseet First Nations.

“The agreement shares with Maliseet First Nations during this project are projected at 9.8 per cent of provincial revenue that will be generated by the Sisson Mine Project under the metallic mineral tax,” said Rick