A decision on starting construction of the Goliath Gold Mine by Treasury Metals is still a long way off according to Mark Wheeler, Director of Projects and Mac Potter who spoke to Wednesday’s Dryden Rotary Club virtual meeting.
A decision to proceed with construction is scheduled for the fall of 2023.
The project has been given new life with the purchase of the nearby Goldlund and Miller projects. Although Goliath is both an open pit and shaft project Goldlund and Miller will be open pit only. The new company is looking for more opportunities in the 65 km stretch.
In the meantime Manager of Environment and Community Relations, Mac Potter says one key next step is more community and Indigenous engagement.“Goldlund and Miller are on Highway 72/Sioux Lookout highway. We do definitely include Sioux Lookout as a community that we will draw from. The real culture of the project is that we want to build as much as possible on a regional basis.”
“We will be going to the public in terms of continued dialogue and input. There will be things such as closure and fish compensation as well as several different provincial construction permits which will require public meetings.”
If construction is approved in 2023, the mine is estimated to have a 13-year lifespan including $80 million in construction employment, $209 million life of mine employment employing about 250 employees, together with additional benefits from supplies, freight, and infrastructure contracts.