Sisson Mine
Long-term costs, permanent risks
What is the Sisson Mine?
The Sisson Mine is a proposed large open-pit tungsten and molybdenum mine planned for the upper Nashwaak–Wolastoq (Saint John River) watershed, northwest of Fredericton. While the project is marketed as a short-term economic opportunity, evidence shows it could leave New Brunswickers with long-term environmental harm and potential health effects that last long after mining ends.
The Conservation Council of New Brunswick believes that responsible development must protect water, forests, public health and taxpayers, and not pass the risk from private companies to the public.
WHat's at stake
FOR OUR HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITIES
A huge tailings pond:
This video shows the scale of the mine’s proposed tailings pond. Video provided courtesy of the Nashwaak Watershed Association.
The Sisson Mine could cause:
- Permanent environmental damage in a critical watershed.
- Long-term health risks for nearby communities.
- Continued public costs for water treatment, infrastructure and health care.
- A legacy that future generations would be forced to manage.
This is not responsible economic development. It is a bad deal for New Brunswick.
Sisson Mine Research
Click the buttons below to see the Conservation Council’s research into the effects of the Sisson Mine.
Private Profit, public cost
Where does the money go?
Ownership matters. This project is controlled by Northcliff Resources, which is majority-owned by the Todd Corporation, a private New Zealand company. That means much of the profit would leave New Brunswick, while the risks stay here. Corporate decisions are made elsewhere, but New Brunswick communities and taxpayers are left dealing with the fallout.
We’ve seen this before. When mines close early or companies walk away, the public is stuck managing the damage. New Brunswick already has a backlog of contaminated sites, and approving another high-risk mine adds to that burden, for our health and future generations.
What can you do?
We are currently organizing to strengthen our efforts against this short-sighted proposal. You can stay informed about our work and opportunities to get involved by signing up for our newsletter.
Also, if you’re interested in joining our coalition opposing the project, fill out our survey.