New Mine to Create Over 700 Jobs, Boost Province’s GDP by $2.1 Billion
NexGold Mining Corp. has received industrial approval from the Department of Environment and Climate Change for its gold mine in Goldboro, Guysborough County. (Province of Nova Scotia / File)
A new gold mine in Guysborough County, which is expected to create 735 new jobs and contribute $2.1-billion to Nova Scotia’s gross domestic product (GDP), received its industrial approval today, August 27.
This approval comes after seven years of consultation and study.
Work on the Goldboro gold mine, owned by NexGold Mining Corp., is expected to start in 2026.
The project is also projected to generate $1.1 billion in direct and indirect household income in Nova Scotia over 15 years as well as about $528 million in tax revenue – $274 million provincial, $44 million municipal and $209 million federal.
The company also has benefits agreements with the Municipality of the District of Guysborough and the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs.
Industrial approvals regulate the daily operations of certain types of projects or facilities and have terms and conditions that companies must comply with to safeguard the environment. NexGold’s industrial approval has stringent terms and conditions.
Industrial approvals for mining projects provide continuous regulatory oversight from the start of construction through operation, closure and reclamation of a mine. A new specialized and dedicated team at the Department of Environment and Climate Change, called the large industrial file team, includes staff with extensive experience and expertise in mining projects and environmental compliance who make sure companies comply with the terms and conditions of their approvals.
Quotes:
“This is a great day for Nova Scotians and the Goldboro Gold Project. The NexGold team has a demonstrated reputation of developing and operating in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. We respect the land and communities in which we work and live. This is, indeed, a tremendous moment, and is a testament to the hard work and effort by all parties to reach this critical milestone. Canada is a global leader in precious metal products and Nova Scotia will be a part of that valuable industry.”
— Kevin Bullock, CEO and President, NexGold Mining Corp.
“The NexGold Goldboro Gold Project in the Municipality of the District of Guysborough will provide significant socio-economic benefits for the municipality and surrounding areas during the construction and operational phases of the proposed development. The local benefits include meaningful direct and indirect job creation, community benefit agreements, growing the GDP in Nova Scotia and providing additional municipal taxation revenues.”
— Paul Long, Warden, Municipality of the District of Guysborough
Quick Facts:
- the mining industry accounts for at least 2,500 jobs in Nova Scotia that pay an average of $100,000 a year in wages and benefits
- the Goldboro mine project has a 15-year timeline that includes development, 11 years of operation, and remediation
- the Province has leased 779 hectares of Crown land to NexGold for this mine; part of the mine will be on the Crown land and part will be on land the company owns
- metal mining projects in Nova Scotia need two approvals from the Department of Environment and Climate Change – an environmental assessment and an industrial approval; the project received its environmental assessment approval on June 2, 2022
- NexGold Mining Corp. is a Canadian company
Additional Resources:
Goldboro gold mine project: https://nexgold.com/goldboro-gold-project/
Goldboro Gold Project impacts in Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/nse/pubs/docs/goldboro-infographic.pdf
Preparing for Environmental Assessment - https://novascotia.ca/nse/ea/docs/environmental-assessment-preparing-en.pdf
Operational Approval Process - https://novascotia.ca/nse/dept/docs/Operational_Approval_Process.pdf
News release – Crown Land Lease for New Gold Mine: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/05/21/crown-land-lease-new-gold-mine
News release – Nova Scotia Updates Critical Minerals Strategy: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/05/14/nova-scotia-updates-critical-minerals-strategy