THUNDER BAY — Federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna has approved the environmental assessment (EA) for Greenstone Gold Mines' proposed Hardrock mine at Geraldton.
John Begeman, executive chairman of Premier Gold Mines Limited, calls the approval "a significant milestone" for the project.
The federal EA determined that the mine would not likely cause significant adverse environmental effects, considering the implementation of mitigation measures and follow-up remediation.
"Our engagement with representatives of the local Indigenous communities, local communities and the various government agencies has been very positive throughout the process, and we look forward to continued advancement of the project," Begeman said in a prepared statement.
The Ontario government's EA process is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2019.
Greenstone Gold Mines is a 50/50 joint venture between Premier and Centerra Gold Inc.
If the development goes ahead, an open-pit mine will be established about five kilometres south of Geraldton near Highway 11.
The area was actively mined over several decades in the mid-20th century.
According to the developers, nearly 1,000 jobs would be created during construction and pre-production, and an average of 450 workers would be required during the mine's 15-year life span.
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission has said the project would create significant spinoff benefits not only for Greenstone but for Thunder Bay and the entire region as well.
It would be "a huge economic driver for northwestern Ontario," said John Mason, the mining services manager for the CEDC.
