The federal government has approved a multi-million proposal by the Sisson Partnership to dump mine waste into two fish-bearing brooks that feed the Nashwaak River.
The proposed Sisson mine was approved by the provincial government in 2015 but needs 40 conditions to be met before moving forward. The mine, owned by Northcliff Resources and Todd Minerals, is located about 30 km from Stanley and 60 km northwest from Fredericton.
“This was one permit or approval the project needed to go forward and there are still quite a few outstanding,” Conservation Council of New Brunswick executive director Lois Corbett told the Telegraph-Journal. “It’s not a done deal and it’s not over.”
The Conservation Council of New Brunswick has been a vocal opponent to the Sisson Mine Project as it is currently designed, and we are on the record pointing out its flaws — including inadequate tailings storage and the impact on Atlantic salmon, brook trout, slimy sculpin, and American eel in the lower Wolastoq (St. John) River watershed. To hold back mine waste, the owners say they would need to build a tailings dam twice the height and 16-times the length of the Mactaquac dam.
Read the full Telegraph-Journal story here.
Recommended link:
- Feds approve plan to dump Sisson Mine waste into Atlantic salmon habitat
- Conservation Council comments on Sisson Mine project environmental assessment report
- What the Mount Polley tailings disaster has to teach us to protect the Nashwaak from the Sisson mine
- Guest blog: A plea to the people of New Brunswick
- Risky business: the company behind the Sisson mine project
- Find more of our posts about the proposed Sisson Mine