N.B. mine possible finalist on federal nation-building list

Sources have confirmed a New Brunswick mine is on a list of the prime minister’s nation-building projects.

The logging road near the site of the Sisson Mine in central New Brunswick is quiet Wednesday – but talk that the mine might be getting a boost from the federal government is getting louder.

The tungsten mine has been in the works for over a decade, but despite exploration, some construction activity, and environmental approvals – it’s never been fully developed.

But N.B. Premier Susan Holt alluded to the mine being one of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s nation-building projects, to be announced Thursday.

“It will be one of the other projects that we’ve been pushing for,” Holt said told CTV News earlier in the week.

Officials in N.B. have said the area – about 70 kms north of Fredericton, 20 kms from the Village of Stanley – is home to one of the largest undeveloped tungsten deposits in the world.

The strong metal has a high melting point, which makes it a desirable material for military equipment.

Back in August, the Carney government awarded Northcliff Resources, which is developing the project, $8.2 million for a feasibility study, while the U.S. Defence Department awarded it $20.7 million in May.

But people who live in the area have heard that the mine is going to happen before.

Sidney Mackay says about a decade ago, he was contracted to haul gravel up to the mine site. Today, he says the saying, “between a rock and a hard place” accurately describes how people are feeling about the mine.

“It’s hard. The boost to the community would most certainly be welcome and then on the other end, there’s the environmental impact of it,” he said.

Northcliff Resources have said that the mine could employ over 300 people and cost upwards of $500 million to develop.

The company has a local hire policy, and says on its website it will ensure New Brunswickers are aware of any job opportunities.

With files from CTV News’ Stephanie Ha

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