St Barbara (ASX:SBM) confirms that the initial project description (IPD) for its 15-Mile Processing Hub Project, submitted last 2 June 2026, has passed the conformity review stage.
The IPD is now subject for public comment for 20 days prior to the determination of the permitting pathway.
According to St Barbara, the project design aligns with a Prefeasibility Study announced in January, which confirmed gold production of more than 100,000 ounces per annum over 11 years based on proven and probable ore reserves.
The company expects the project to generate a C$5 billion ($5.05 billion) GDP impact for Nova Scotia, alongside creating over 1,300 jobs during construction and approximately 740 positions throughout operations.
St Barbara says the project covers the redevelopment of three historic mining sites in Nova Scotia: the 15-Mile Mine, the Old Austen Mine, and the Old Mitchell Mine.
By utilising the 15-Mile site as the sole processing hub, the company eliminates the need for three separate processing plants, reducing overall land disturbance by 23% despite the increased capacity.
CEO Andrew Strelein says the submission reflects nearly three years of work, incorporating and addressing feedback from regulators, local communities, and Mi’kmaq communities.
“We are also encouraged by the recently signed cooperation agreement between Nova Scotia and Canada, which supports a ‘one project, one review’ approach,” Strelein says.
“A streamlined, robust, and defensible regulatory process is critical to ensuring efficient decision-making, while maintaining the highest environmental and community standards.”
“We look forward to the next stages of project development, including the submission of the environmental assessment registration document [EARD] and the initiation of the parallel Feasibility Study.”
The company plans to submit its EARD in Q3 of financial year 2027 and anticipates a final investment decision by the beginning of the 2028 financial year.
St Barbara is a gold explorer and developer focused on the development of long-life gold assets, with operations spanning Papua New Guinea and Canada.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: St Barbara
