New Brunswick partners with U.S. firm to recover metals from Nigadoo mine waste

The New Brunswick provincial government has signed an agreement with U.S.-based Regeneration Enterprises to explore recovering valuable metals from the waste of the defunct Nigadoo mine near Bathurst. The mine, which closed nearly 50 years ago, previously produced copper, lead, zinc, and silver.

Regeneration Enterprises, working in collaboration with the Pabineau First Nation, aims to determine the financial viability of the project within one year. If deemed feasible, processing could begin in two to three years, subject to necessary approvals. The initiative aligns with the province’s Comprehensive Minerals Strategy.

Proponents suggest that the recovery of critical minerals could fund the environmental restoration of the site, potentially removing a $35 million liability from the provincial balance sheet. However, questions remain regarding the environmental safeguards required to manage risks associated with disturbing settled heavy metals during the reprocessing phase.