Sisson Project (Tungsten and Molybdenum Mine)

Projects that were undergoing a comprehensive study at the time the provisions of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 came into force will continue to follow the requirements of the former Act. Under the former Act, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is responsible for conducting the comprehensive study of this project.

Sisson Partnership (formerly Sisson Mines Ltd.) has proposed the construction and operation of an open pit tungsten and molybdenum mine and associated infrastructure at Sisson Brook, New Brunswick, approximately 60 kilometres northwest of Fredericton. The mine would extract an average of 30,000 tonnes per day of tungsten and molybdenum-containing ore for on-site processing. The mine and ore processing plant would have a lifespan of 27 years and employ approximately 200 to 300 people. The ore body intersects Sisson Brook. It is also likely that waste rock deposit and tailings impoundment areas in designated areas would be located in portions of Bird Brook or another tributary to the West Branch Napadogan Brook.

The project includes all activities and physical works associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed Sisson Project, including, but not limited to, the following activities and components:

  • mining by conventional open pit methods;
  • storage of ore and waste rock;
  • stockpiling of organics and overburden;
  • on-site ore processing;
  • tailings storage facility, waste treatment storage and disposal facilities;
  • ancillary infrastructure (on-site accommodations for construction personnel and operating staff, fuel handling facility, two-storey administration building, assay office, truck stop, container and freight storage, and a sewage treatment plant);
  • diversion of clean surface water away from project facilities (e.g., open pit, tailings storage facility);
  • collection of precipitation on the Project site, and groundwater flows into the pit, for use in operations;
  • discharge of surplus water, with treatment as needed to meet permitting conditions;
  • watercourse alteration (Sisson Brook and Bird Brook);
  • power distribution systems (30-50 megawatts) to connect to the New Brunswick power grid including a new 42-kilometre transmission line running alongside an existing line;
  • transportation of the mineral products off-site; and
  • decommissioning of facilities, and reclamation and closure of the site.

The Agency and New Brunswick Environment are coordinating the federal and provincial environmental assessment processes to the extent possible, including development of a Joint Provincial-Federal Terms of Reference, joint review of the Environmental Impact Assessment, and concurrent consultation periods wherever feasible.

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Latest update

June 23, 2017 - The Environmental Assessment Decision Statement has been issued by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Decision of the Responsible Authorities has been taken.

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External links

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Contacts

Environmental Protection Operations Directorate - Atlantic
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Michael Hingston, Head, Environmental Assessment
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Telephone: 902-426-9152
Email: michael.hingston@canada.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Sisson Brook, Juniper, Stanley (New Brunswick)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Mines and Minerals

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2011-07-25

  • Proponent

    Sisson Partnership

  • Authorities

    • Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • Natural Resources Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Comprehensive study under CEAA 1992

  • Reference Number

    63169

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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