Federal review ordered for N.S. gold mine hub project

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada has decided a proposed gold mining project on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore must undergo a federal impact assessment, a decision the company behind it has criticized, CBC News reported.

The agency announced last week that St Barbara Limited’s 15-Mile Processing Hub Project, which would span three sites, will be assessed federally. The agency could have deferred to a provincial environmental assessment alone.

St Barbara, an Australia-based company, called the decision “very disappointing for both St Barbara and the Province of Nova Scotia” in a news release. Managing director and CEO Andrew Strelein said it appears to be a “direct challenge” to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s efforts to streamline reviews for major projects under a “One Project, One Review” approach.

Nova Scotia Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton wrote to the agency in July asking it to defer to the provincial process. The company said the agency has assured it that the assessment can be finished in time for construction to begin in mid-2028, as planned.

Scott Beaver, a councillor for the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s, which includes parts of the project area, welcomed the decision. Beaver, who is also president of the St. Mary’s River Association, told CBC he believes Ottawa will assess the risks more thoroughly than the province and that more than 500 public submissions, many critical, likely influenced the agency. He said mining in the St. Mary’s River watershed threatens salmon habitat, and noted Ottawa is considering designating the river an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area.

The agency said next steps include drafting guidelines for the assessment and working with the province to reduce duplication.

The question of how many reviews a major project should face is also playing out elsewhere. We reported on B.C. First Nations challenging the Pacific Link pipeline listing.

The report is based on CBC News coverage; Canada News Media has not independently confirmed the details with the agency or the company.

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