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Published: October 27, 2026 |
New Brunswick’s Comprehensive Minerals Strategy is revitalizing the province’s mineral sector with a focus on accelerating domestic production of critical minerals. The provincial government has signed an exploration agreement with Regeneration Enterprises for the former Nigadoo Mine Tailings Storage Facility.
“New Brunswick has the resources the world needs and we should be ambitious about what that can mean for our province,” said Natural Resources Minister John Herron.
“This project will convert something that has been a liability for decades and turn it into new investment, good jobs and a cleaner site. That is exactly the kind of opportunity we want to unlock through New Brunswick’s Comprehensive Minerals Strategy,” added Herron.
Regeneration Enterprises is a social enterprise that reclaims legacy mine sites and supports their clean up. They specialize in evaluating the potential to reprocess tailings from historical mine sites, using modern technology to recover metals that were previously discarded with tailings.
“Mining has a long history in northern New Brunswick. We want to be a part of writing the next chapter in that story by delivering the critical minerals that Canada and the world need and by using the revenues generated restore legacy mines back to their natural states for future generations,” said Michael McPhie, managing director and chief projects officer of Regeneration.
“This exploration agreement lets us begin that work the right way: alongside the First Nations partners and communities who know these places best. There is a lot of work ahead, and we are committed to doing it together,” added McPhie.
In August 2026, Regeneration entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Oinpegitjoig (Pabineau) First Nation, establishing a framework to guide collaboration around possible future metals recovery and restoration of historic mine sites within Pabineau traditional territory.
“The MOU that we signed this summer highlights the collaborative approach Regeneration is undertaking in their project at Nigadoo. We look forward to working with them to align our goals around a healthy and safe environment and economic prosperity for our people and the surrounding region,” said Oinpegitjoig Chief Terry Richardson.
We applaud the provincial government in their commitment to clean up this old mining site. Together we are strong,” added Richardson.
Located about five kilometers west of the district of Nigadoo (now part of Belle-Baie), the tailings site is from a former copper, lead, zinc and silver mine, which operated between 1956 and 1977. It is under the care of the provincial government after a failed reclamation effort. It is anticipated that exploration will take three years, leading to growth in employment and spinoffs around the province, said Herron.
The project is also aligned with the federal government’s Critical Minerals Strategy.
“Projects like Regeneration Enterprises’ initiative in the Bathurst Mining Camp show how Canadian innovation is turning yesterday’s mine waste into tomorrow’s critical mineral supply — to power defense, manufacturing, and the energy transition,” said Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson.
“By pursuing the recovery of zinc, copper, cobalt, germanium, and gallium from historic tailings, this project supports resource sustainability, creates high-value jobs in New Brunswick and strengthens the resilient supply chains that Canada and our allies need,” added Hodgson.
Regeneration Enterprises is an international, social enterprise that converts mine waste into responsible minerals and turns degraded lands into ecological and community assets. They work in partnership with local and Indigenous communities, governments, sustainable brands, and strategic business partners in the mining, technology, and remediation and restoration sectors.
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