N.S grants access to Crown land in Guysborough County for gold mining

A Crown land lease will help a new gold mine be developed near Goldboro in Guysborough County. (Source: Province of Nova Scotia / File)

The Nova Scotia government is giving a gold mining company access to Crown land in Guysborough County.

Goldboro Gold Mining Inc. will lease 779 hectares of land near Goldboro that was previously mined for gold.

“We added gold to a new strategic minerals list and we are pleased to announce a Crown land lease to support this development that will create more than 700 jobs and add $2.1 billion to Nova Scotia’s economy over its lifetime,” said Tory Rushton, minister of Natural Resources, in a news release from the province.

The lease allows the company to develop and operate an open pit gold mine “with processing and tailings management facilities, other infrastructure, and on-site storage of waste rock, till and organic material.”

The province says the mine’s 15-year lifetime includes development, 11 years of operation, and remediation; part of the mine will be on the Crown land and part will be on private land.

“The lease includes a land package that covers both the deposit and critical infrastructure for mine development, allowing final permitting to progress. This is a significant project milestone, and a reflection of NexGold’s positive working relationship with the Government of Nova Scotia,” said Kevin Bullock, president and CEO of NexGold, in the release.

According to the province, the new mine has received environmental assessment approval and is awaiting an industrial approval. Goldboro Gold Mining Inc. has signed community benefits agreements with the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs and the Municipality of the District of Guysborough.

Nova Scotia’s critical mineral list include:

• uranium – used for nuclear energy
• tellurium – used for solar panels
• silver – used for solar panels
• high purity silica – used for solar power and semiconductors

The strategic minerals include:

• gold – used for electronics, dentistry, and finance
• potash – used in fertilizer and industrial applications
• aggregate – used for construction
• gypsum – used for drywall, cement

The Department of Natural Resources launched its critical mineral list in 2022 and reviews the list every two years.

The province says the critical mineral list highlights previously identified minerals in Nova Scotia that could be used for energy, defence and health purposes.

The new strategic mineral list includes resources that could support economic opportunities for the province.

“Gold is a strategic mineral with great potential to attract investors and be an economic driver for Nova Scotia,” said Rushton.

The province says the mining industry accounts for at least 2,500 jobs in Nova Scotia that pay an average of $100,000 a year in wages and benefits.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page