Province fast-tracks northern Ont. gold mine project

Province fast-tracks northern Ont. gold mine project

A major mining investment could be on the horizon for the Matheson area, with a proposed $450 million open-pit gold mine expected to create hundreds of jobs and bring significant economic opportunities to the region. Mayfair Gold’s Fenn-Gib Gold Project, located 17 kilometres east of Matheson, has been designated under the provincial government’s One Project, One Process framework. The project would include an open pit mine and an on-site mill. The province said the designation is part of its efforts to make Ontario more attractive to mining investment by streamlining the approvals process. Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce said the initiative is intended to significantly reduce permitting timelines. “We are, as you know, really helping to reshape the paradigm of speed by bringing forth one project, one process that is helping to really accelerate the permit timelines, cut them by half because we were among the slowest,” said Lecce. “Today, we are among the fastest.” For Mayfair Gold, the designation could provide a more predictable path toward construction. CEO Drew Anwyll said the project is now looking at a permitting timeline of 18 to 24 months. “So that’s huge, and what this really allows is improved certainty in that time frame,” Anwyll said. The company is also hoping to take advantage of the region’s established mining workforce and network of local con.