The province of British Columbia has approved early construction works – the first step required for mine construction – at the Blackwater gold project, TSX-V-listed Artemis Gold reported on Thursday.

The permit will allow for the necessary site preparation and land clearing work to begin.

“Advancing the Blackwater gold project from exploration to early work will help unearth the massive economic potential in BC’s Cariboo region,” said Premier John Horgan in a statement.

The Blackwater mine is estimated to be the largest gold mine development project in the Cariboo region in the last decade, supporting regional employment over 25 years, including the construction period, with the potential for that to be extended through further exploration.

Blackwater is to be connected to the BC Hydro grid, which is powered by hydro-electricity providing it with a sustainable source of low-carbon power, with the potential to produce gold and silver with one of the lowest greenhouse-gas emissions from an openpit in the world.

An economic impact study completed by KPMG on the Blackwater project in November anticipates the project will create 457 direct full-time jobs a year over the 23-year operating life of the mine, with 825 direct full-time jobs a year created during the construction/expansion phases of mine development.

Further, the mine is expected to contribute $13.2-billion to the provincial economy, over the life of the mine, including $2.3-billion to provincial revenues.

“We would like to thank the government of British Columbia for prioritising this permit, the Lhoosk’uz Dene Nation and Ulkatcho First Nation, whose traditional territories overlap the mine property for continuing to demonstrate strong support, including during the permitting process, to advance the Blackwater project forward on its path of becoming the next major new gold mine in British Columbia.

“The approval of the early works permit is another sign that British Columbia is open for business for responsible mineral exploration and development,” commented Artemis chairperson and CEO Steven Dean.

The province signed an economic and community development agreement with the Lhoosk’uz Dené and Ulkatcho First Nations to share mineral tax revenue in 2020. Prior to that, an impact benefits agreement was signed in 2019 with the Lhoosk’uz Dené and Ulkatcho First Nations. Since acquiring the Blackwater project in 2020, Artemis continues to develop relationships with Indigenous partners, notably by signing an impact benefits agreement with the Nazko First Nation in May 2021 and ongoing negotiations with the Carrier Sekani First Nations on an impact benefits agreement.