New gold mine near Goldboro passes next hurdle
NexGold, a mining company, has been granted a Crown land lease for 779 hectares near Goldboro, N.S., bringing them one step closer to developing Nova Scotia’s next gold mine. This open-pit gold mine project has received environmental approval, as well as mineral exploration and extraction licenses. The company has also signed community benefits agreements with the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs and the Municipality of the District of Guysborough. However, an industrial approval is still pending.
Minister of Natural Resources, Tory Rushton, highlighted the importance of gold as a strategic mineral that has the potential to attract investors and drive economic growth in Nova Scotia. Kevin Bullock, the president and CEO of NexGold, expressed his satisfaction with this development, emphasizing the positive working relationship between the company and the Nova Scotia government.
The Goldboro mine is expected to have a lifespan of 15 years, including 11 years of operation, and create 735 jobs. Formerly known as Signal Gold and Anaconda, NexGold has a history of mining in the area. The Goldboro region has a mining history dating back to the late 1800s, and concerns have been raised about potential disturbance of historical contaminants by new mining activities.
The Nova Scotia government has identified gold, gypsum, aggregate, and potash as strategic minerals for development. Touquoy mine near Moose River, N.S., Nova Scotia’s other gold mine, recently concluded active mining in January 2023 and is now undergoing the reclamation process.
Overall, the development of the Goldboro gold mine represents a significant milestone for NexGold and the province of Nova Scotia. With the potential to boost the local economy and create job opportunities, this project underscores the importance of responsible and sustainable mining practices in the region.
