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The federal government has granted approval for the KSM (Kerr-Sulhpurets-Mitchell) project after finding no pressing issues with the environmental assessment conducted by the provincial government back in July, 2014.
The Honourable Leaona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, ruled that the KSM project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. The decision was based in part on mitigation measures outlined in the report conducted by B.C.'s Ministry of Environment.
Following the federal government's approval, the project has been referred back to the appropriate authorities for further action.
The KSM project is under the direction of Seabridge Gold Inc. Tapping into one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in the world, the KSM project is expected to process 130,000 tonnes of ore per day over an anticipated mine life span of 52 years.
Seabridge Gold Incorporated is expected to develop a combined open-pit and underground gold, copper, silver, and molydenum mine in the Kerr, Sulphurets, and Mitchell Creek watersheds. Boarding northern territory, these watersheds are located approximately 65 kilometres northwest of Stewart, British Columbia.
Although granted approval, the KSM project will be a massive undertaking. The $5.3 billion project is expected to extract 38.2 million ounces of gold and 9.9 billion pounds of copper in its lifetime.
According to the provincial Ministry of Environment, the KSM mine is expected to connect to the new $746 million Northwest Transmission Line. In addition, the project will create up to 1,800 jobs during construction and approximately 1,040 permanent jobs during mine operations.
B.C.'s Ministry of Environment also pointed out that Seabridge Gold Inc. has discussed KSM with the Nisga's Nation, First Nations, surrounding communities, and the public.
Photo credit: Seabridge Gold Inc. website.
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