Sisson mine project gets 7 public submissions to date

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has received seven public comments on its comprehensive report on the proposed Sisson mine project near Fredericton.

A 30-day period for public comments on the proposal began when it report was released in April and that feedback window closes on Friday.

The chiefs of five Maliseet First Nations — at Kingsclear, Madawaska, Oromocto, St. Mary's and Tobique — called for the $579-million project to be rejected because of its impact on the Maliseet people.

• 5 Maliseet chiefs want Sisson mine rejected
• Sisson mine impact on Maliseet First Nations 'significant'

The federal study concluded the mine would have a "significant" impact on the Maliseet communities of Tobique, Kingsclear, Woodstock and St. Mary's due to the loss of more than 1,250 hectares of woodland that has been traditionally used for hunting, fishing and resource gathering by Maliseet people from those First Nations.

The mine's proponents, Sisson Mines Ltd., noted the federal study did find the mine can be "developed and operated in an environmentally responsible manner."

It is expected the mine would operate for 27 years and create 500 jobs during construction and 300 jobs during its operations.

The project would include one of the world's largest tailings ponds to hold mining waste products.

Once the public comment period expires on Friday, federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna will take into consideration the CEAA report and the comments received on it from the public and Indigenous groups and then issue a decision statement about an environmental assessment of project.

The assessment agency said it cannot speculate on when the minister's decision will be announced.

The New Brunswick government has already given environmental impact assessment approval for the Sisson project, subject to 40 conditions.