New Brunswick is advancing in their efforts to revitalize the province’s mineral sector.
In a press release, the province announced it had selected Toronto firm Avenir Minerals to negotiate an exploration agreement for the former Lake George antimony mine site.
The agreement follows the launch of New Brunswick’s Comprehensive Minerals Strategy, which looks to revitalize the province’s mineral sector and bolster domestic production of critical minerals.
The company was chosen after a call for expressions of interest was issued this spring.
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Natural Resources Minister John Heron said in the release that this is a significant milestone in the province’s mission to provide Canada “with a secure and environmentally responsible domestic supply of critical minerals needed for the technologies of today and tomorrow.”
According to Heron, the Lake George site, in addition to its known antimony, also has potential for other minerals such as tungsten, molybdenum, and gold.
It “represents an invaluable opportunity to unlock the province’s mineral potential and meet the growing international demand for these materials,” he added.
The Lake George site, about 30 kilometres southwest of Fredericton, was once North America’s largest primary antimony mine and contains an estimated 800,000 tonnes of antimony-bearing ore, according to a historical technical report.
Antimony is also classified as a critical mineral by Canada, the U.S. and the European Union, and plays a critical role in the production of flame retardants, batteries and other advanced technologies.
Heron said the provincial government’s focus on the economic potential of New Brunswick’s minerals and the momentum created with the release of the mineral strategy have caught the interest of the mining sector across the country.
He added that this has resulted in a record number of claims made last year and in a new interest in the Lake George site, among others.
CEO of Avenir Minerals Alden Greenhouse said in the release that the company was pleased to be selected to enter these discussions and looks forward to “building a strong understanding of the project’s potential.”
“As discussions advance, our focus will be on working collaboratively with the Province of New Brunswick, local communities, Indigenous Peoples and other stakeholders to determine appropriate steps,” he added.
