N.S. gold mine gets industrial approval to process stockpiled ore

A piece of gold is pictured. (Source: Government of Nova Scotia)

A Nova Scotia gold mine that stopped operations in 2023 has received industrial approval to process roughly three million tonnes of stockpiled ore.

Natural Resources Minister Kim Masland said Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia can process ore containing gold at the Touquoy mine site in Moose River.

“This is the second major gold mine approval in the past year, following the Goldboro gold mine in Guysborough County,” Masland said in a news release. “Together, these two projects represent more than a billion dollars in economic activity and close to a thousand jobs for Nova Scotians.

“Each of these approvals comes with strict terms and conditions governing environmental protection, water quality monitoring and tailings management. Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia is required to meet these conditions and the Province will ensure compliance.”

Nova Scotia is required to meet these conditions and the Province will ensure compliance.”

Last summer, the Nova Scotia government said it was streamlining the industrial approval process for mining operations. The province says the new phased approach allows companies to “move from planning to action faster while still upholding strong environmental safeguards.”

The province says the new processing work at the Touquoy mine is expected to take 10-to-14 months and create 197 jobs. It’s also expected to contribute $151 million to Nova Scotia’s GDP.

The cleanup work that started at the site in 2024 will be paused in the mill area during the processing period. The government is holding a $79.9-million bond from Atlantic Mining to ensure the full reclamation of the site is completed as required under the Environment Act.

Nova Scotia’s critical minerals strategy, which was updated in 2025, lists gold among the 20 critical minerals and four strategic minerals.

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