TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – The British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office has this week informed Canadian project developer Seabridge Gold that the province’s environment and energy and mines Ministers had approved an environmental assessment certificate for its KSM project, located in north-west British Columbia.

The Ministers concluded that the construction, operation and decommissioning of the $5.3-billion KSM project were not likely to result in significant adverse effects.

“We are confident that KSM will also be approved at the federal level within the next several months,” CEO Rudi Fronk said.

"This decision confirms that KSM is a well-designed, environmentally responsible project which is technically feasible and offers significant economic benefits to both British Columbia and Canada. This decision also affirms the value of extensive public consultation early in the environmental assessment process, which helped us to understand the cultural, social, environmental and economic context of the KSM project,” he added.

Fronk noted that the province had imposed certain conditions on the project, which the company regarded as reasonable.

“We regard this approval as an expression of trust in us not only to meet the obligations mandated in this approval but also to continue to respond to the ongoing needs of members of the communities in British Columbia's north-west,” Fronk stated.

The KSM project has been undergoing a joint harmonised federal-provincial environmental assessment review as outlined by the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

On July 21, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) released its final comprehensive study report for the KSM project, which concluded that "the KSM project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects taking into account implementation of the mitigation measures described in the report".

The report was posted on the CEAA website for a 30-day public comment period, after which the federal Environment Minister would decide whether to approve the KSM project. Seabridge expected the federal Minster's decision in the fall.

Last month, Seabridge entered into a comprehensive benefits agreement with the Nisga'a Nation regarding its KSM copper/gold project.

The agreement established a long-term cooperative relationship between Seabridge and the Nisga'a Nation under which the local residents undertook to support developing the project, participate in economic benefits from the project and provide ongoing advice.