The Nova Scotia government approved a restart of the Touquoy gold mine on April 10, 2026. The approval allows Atlantic Mining NS, a subsidiary of Australia-based St Barbara (ASX: SBM), to resume gold processing at the Moose River site in Halifax County.
Aerial view of the Touquoy gold mine site in Halifax County, where stockpile processing has been approved for restart. [CBC]
The mine stopped operations in September 2023, following a drawn-out dispute over tailings storage. This approval marks a shift in Nova Scotia’s regulatory approach to gold mining.
Industrial Approval Clears Path for Touquoy Gold Processing Restart
Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment and Climate Change granted the industrial approval on April 10. The province confirmed Atlantic Mining NS met all regulatory requirements before receiving the decision.
The approval permits the processing of approximately three million tonnes of stockpiled ore. No new mining will take place. All operations must stay within the existing disturbed footprint of the site.
The province attached strict conditions to the approval. These cover environmental protection, water quality monitoring, and tailings management. Nova Scotia authorities confirmed they will actively monitor compliance throughout the operation.
Touquoy Mine Background: From Shutdown to Gold Mine Restart
Atlantic Mining NS ran the Touquoy gold mine from 2017 until 2023. The operation came to an early close due to a protracted permitting dispute over in-pit tailings storage.
The company submitted plans to store tailings in the open pit as far back as 2021. Nova Scotia’s then-Environment Minister requested additional studies on three separate occasions between 2021 and 2023.
After the third request, St Barbara chose to wind down operations ahead of schedule. Processing stopped in September 2023, leaving substantial ore stockpiles on site.
Improved Mining Permitting Environment Drives Restart Decision
Nova Scotia made notable changes to its mining regulatory framework in recent years. The province launched a critical minerals strategy in 2024 and updated it in 2025, listing gold as a strategic mineral.
The government also created the Large Industrial File Team within the Department of Environment and Climate Change. This unit focuses on streamlining approvals for large industrial projects.
St Barbara cited these regulatory changes as a key factor in pursuing the restart. The company stated that a clearer and more constructive approval process made resuming operations practical.
Stockpile Processing Plan: What the Touquoy Restart Involves
St Barbara plans to process around three million tonnes of medium and low-grade ore through the existing Touquoy mill. The ore was mined and stockpiled before the 2023 shutdown.
Stockpiled ore at Touquoy will be processed through existing mill infrastructure over the next 10–14 months. [IStock]
The company expects processing to take between 10 and 14 months once operations begin. Work could start before the end of 2026, making near-term gold production a real possibility.
Processed tailings will go into the existing open pit. St Barbara describes this approach as consistent with its ongoing reclamation strategy for the site.
Gold Production Targets and Ore Reserve at the Touquoy Mine Site
The restart study projects the stockpile operation will yield approximately 38,000 ounces of gold. The ore reserve stands at 3.0 million tonnes grading 0.4 grams per tonne for 43,000 ounces total.
The All-In Sustaining Cost sits at an estimated US$1,598 per ounce. With spot gold trading above US$5,000 per ounce as of early 2026, the project carries a substantial margin.
The pre-tax net present value of the project reaches C$60.3 million. The internal rate of return comes in at 564%, based on a gold price assumption of US$3,000 per ounce in the study.
Capital Investment and Project Economics for the Mine Restart
St Barbara estimates the restart requires initial capital of approximately C$11.4 million. The company will direct most of this spending toward refurbishing equipment and preparing the processing plant.
The existing Touquoy processing plant will be refurbished to support restart operations, reducing capital costs. [IStock]
Because the ore sits on site and the processing plant already exists, startup costs stay relatively low. St Barbara describes the project as capital-efficient by mining industry standards.
The company expects a six-month construction and refurbishment period before ore processing begins. This timeline reflects the advantage of working with existing on-site infrastructure.
Economic Impact: Jobs and GDP Contribution to Nova Scotia
The province estimates the Touquoy restart will create 197 jobs. It also projects the operation will contribute C$151 million to Nova Scotia’s gross domestic product.
This is the second major gold mine approval in Nova Scotia in the past year. The Goldboro gold mine in Guysborough County, owned by NexGold Mining, received approval during the same period.
Touquoy and nearby gold projects form part of Nova Scotia’s expanding critical minerals and gold mining strategy. [Mining Weekly]
Together, the two projects represent more than C$1 billion in projected economic activity and close to 1,000 jobs for the province. Nova Scotia officials described both approvals as milestones for the regional mining sector.
St Barbara’s Broader Nova Scotia Gold Mining Growth Strategy
St Barbara views the Touquoy restart as a near-term cash flow bridge. The company plans to use revenue from the stockpile operation to support longer-term development plans in Nova Scotia.
The company’s primary long-term focus is the Fifteen Mile Stream open-pit gold mine and processing hub. A prefeasibility study projects annual production of 103,000 ounces at sustaining costs of US$1,188 per ounce over an 11-year mine life.
St Barbara also holds projects at Beaver Dam and Cochrane Hill. The company has assembled a 697-square-kilometre land package in Nova Scotia since acquiring Atlantic Gold in 2019.
Environmental Conditions and Concerns Tied to the Gold Mine Approval
The Ecology Action Centre raised concerns about depositing tailings in the open pit. The group noted the pit was not originally designed for this purpose and pointed to risks of leakage at similar sites worldwide.
The province responded by attaching binding conditions to the industrial approval. Atlantic Mining NS must meet requirements covering water quality, environmental monitoring, and tailings management throughout the operation.
Nova Scotia officials stated the province will enforce compliance throughout the project’s life. The government confirmed it plans active oversight across both the Touquoy and Goldboro mine approvals to protect local ecosystems.
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FAQs
Q1. What has been approved at the Touquoy gold mine?
A1. Nova Scotia has approved the restart of stockpile processing at the Touquoy gold mine, allowing existing ore to be processed, but no new mining.
Q2. Who operates the Touquoy gold mine?
A2. The mine is operated by Atlantic Mining NS, a subsidiary of Australia-based St Barbara.
Q3. Why did the Touquoy mine stop operations?
A3. Operations were halted in September 2023 after a dispute over tailings storage approval requirements.
Q4. What will the restart involve?
A4. The project will process around three million tonnes of stockpiled ore already stored on-site over an estimated 10–14 months.
Q5. What is the expected economic impact?
A5. The restart is projected to create about 197 jobs and contribute roughly C$151 million to Nova Scotia’s GDP.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Colitco and its affiliated entities make no warranties regarding the completeness or reliability of the information. St Barbara and Nova Scotia developments are subject to regulatory and operational changes. Readers should conduct their own independent research before making any decisions.
Sources
https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2026/04/10/statement-minister-industrial-approval-touquoy-mine
https://www.finnewsnetwork.com.au/archives/finance_news_network3422226.html
Last modified: April 14, 2026
