St Barbara (ASX:SBM) has received approval for a final investment decision (FID) to move forward with the Touquoy restart in Nova Scotia, Canada.
The Touquoy Operations are expected to restart ore processing by the end of 2026.
Earlier this month, the company received approval from the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change to amend the conditions of its industrial permit, as reported by Mining.com.au.
Subsidiaries of St Barbara signed two major contracts overnight on Thursday 23 April 2026, with rural local companies to provide support services during the reopening and processing period of the operation.
Companies that will support the restart of Touquoy include Alva Construction and MacGregor’s Industrial.
CEO Andrew Strelein says the processing of stockpiled ore is a “significant step forward” for the company.
“It demonstrates the province is open to investment in resources projects, will provide for nearly 200 new jobs within the province, and add to the province’s growing GDP (gross domestic product) — all while responsibly managing our shared environment,” Strelein says.
Nova Scotia Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables Kim Masland says she is pleased to keep Nova Scotians employed locally with the completion of these contracts.
St Barbara is introducing 197 direct, indirect, and induced jobs from operating the Touquoy mine.
The company also signed a cooperation agreement with Nova Scotia and Canada to create a ‘one project, one review’ process to streamline environmental and impact assessments at Touquoy.
The agreement was signed by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston.
St Barbara is an Australian development company with projects in Papua New Guinea and Canada.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: St Barbara
