A PLANNED gold mine northwest of Stewart has now received the blessing of the federal government.
Federal environment minister Leona Aglukkaq signed off on the Brucejack project owned by Pretium Resources yesterday, following a federal environmental assessment which began two years ago.
She further found the project met assessment standards laid down for the Nisga'a Nation in accordance with its 2000 final governance agreement signed with the provincial and federal governments.
“I have determined that the designated project can reasonably be expected to result in adverse, but not significant, environmental effects on Nisga'a interests related to fisheries, wildlife, migratory birds, and access for Nisga'a citizens to the Nass Area that overlaps the project site,” stated Aglukkaq.
She also found the project “will result in both positive and negative effects on the existing and future economic, social and cultural well-being of Nisga'a citizens who may be affected ….”
Aglukkaq noted the Nisga'a and Pretium signed an economic benefits deal tied to the project in April, days after it received provincial environmental clearance.
Pretium is predicting a mine life of at least 22 years for what will be underground workings and is now lining up final financing for an estimated capital cost budget of (US) $750 million.
The project will draw power from the provincial grid by building a 57km transmission line from the minesite to the Long Lake hydro project.