SISSON TUNGSTEN-MOLYBDENUM PROJECT
Project Spotlight
Sisson Tungsten-Molybdenum Project
Northcliff Resources Ltd. is developing a major tungsten and molybdenum mining operation at Sisson Brook in New Brunswick, approximately 100 kilometres by road northwest of Fredericton. The 2026 Feasibility Study Update, released on 31 August 2026, estimates initial capital expenditure of C$1.53 billion to construct a 30,000 tonne per day open pit mine with a 27-year mine life.
The project was referred to the federal Major Projects Office on 13 November 2025 as part of Prime Minister Carney's second tranche of nation-building projects. Northcliff is working towards a construction decision in the latter part of 2027, with production targeted for 2030.
Sources: Northcliff Resources, Feasibility Study Update, 31 August 2026; Prime Minister of Canada, 13 November 2025
Overview
The Sisson Project is a proposed open pit mine focused on the extraction and initial processing of tungsten and molybdenum from a large, structurally controlled, intrusion-related deposit. Tungsten is present predominantly as scheelite and will be processed into tungsten concentrate. Molybdenum occurs as molybdenite and will be processed into separate molybdenum concentrate. Canada's last tungsten mine closed in 2015, and the Sisson Project would revitalise the country's production of tungsten whilst also producing molybdenum.
At planned output, the mine could supply roughly a quarter of current tungsten mine production outside China, which dominates world supply with an estimated 79 per cent of global output.
Sources: Major Projects Office, Sisson Mine page; MINING.COM, 2 September 2026
Key Facts
| Category |
Information |
| Location |
Toronto-Peterborough-Ottawa-Montreal-Laval-Trois-Rivieres-Quebec City |
| Proponent |
Approximately 1,000 kilometres |
| Partnership structure |
Alto (Crown corporation, subsidiary of VIA Rail) |
| Corporate ownership |
Cadence consortium |
| Commodity |
CAD 60 to 90 billion |
| Initial capital expenditure |
CAD 3.9 billion over six years |
| Mineral tenure |
Dedicated, electrified high-speed passenger rail; peak speeds of 300 km/h or more |
| Mine life |
More than 17 million people (figures of 17 to 18 million appear across sources) |
| Status |
Co-development phase (design, environmental assessment, consultation) |
| Target construction decision |
Transformative strategy, referred 11 September 2025 |
| Target production |
Ottawa to Montreal (approximately 200 km) |
Sources: Northcliff Resources, Feasibility Study Update, 31 August 2026; Northcliff Resources, loan settlement, 17 August 2026; Yahoo Finance, Northcliff profile
Development
A positive feasibility study was completed in January 2013, detailing a 27-year mining operation based on a nominal 30,000 tonne per day open pit mine with an on-site ammonium paratungstate (APT) plant. That study estimated initial capital expenditure of C$579 million. The 2013 study was based on significantly lower tungsten prices and a different product mix.
On 31 August 2026, Northcliff released the results of a comprehensive feasibility study update led by Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC. The 2026 study reflects updated economic conditions, engineering designs, autonomous haul truck and electric shovel integration, and a revised tailings storage facility design incorporating updated Canadian Dam Association guidance. The 2026 study proposes the production of tungsten concentrate rather than APT, based on current market analysis by Argus Metals indicating that concentrate is the preferred product given tight global supply outside China.
Sources: Northcliff Resources, Feasibility Study Update, 31 August 2026; MINING.COM, 2 September 2026
Development Stage (September 2026)
Status: Feasibility study update completed; referred to Major Projects Office
- 2026 Feasibility Study Update released 31 August 2026
- Provincial environmental impact assessment approval received 3 December 2015, subject to 40 conditions; construction commencement deadline extended by five years to December 2030 on 14 November 2025
- Federal environmental assessment approval received 23 June 2017
- Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulation Schedule 2 amendment authorised July 2019
- Fisheries Act Authorisation received October 2020
- None of the 40 provincial EIA conditions met as of November 2025
- Referred to Major Projects Office on 13 November 2025
- Northcliff targeting construction decision in the latter part of 2027 and production in 2030
Sources: Northcliff Resources, Feasibility Study Update, 31 August 2026; Northcliff Resources, construction extension, 14 November 2025; CBC News, 25 November 2025; Major Projects Office
Timeline
| Date |
Milestone |
| 1978 |
Deposit discovered by Kidd Creek Mines |
| 2010 |
Northcliff acquires 70 per cent interest from Geodex Minerals |
| 2012 |
Northcliff acquires remaining 30 per cent from Geodex Minerals |
| January 2013 | Initial feasibility study completed |
| October 2013 |
Todd Corporation enters partnership agreement |
| 3 December 2015 | Provincial environmental impact assessment approval, subject to 40 conditions |
| February 2017 |
Cooperation and accommodation agreements signed with Wolastoqey First Nations |
| 23 June 2017 |
Federal environmental assessment approval |
| July 2019 |
MDMER Schedule 2 amendment authorised |
| October 2020 |
Fisheries Act Authorisation received |
| November 2022 |
Provincial EIA construction deadline extended to December 2025 |
| 1 May 2025 |
US Department of Defense awards US$15 million under Defence Production Act Title III |
| 7 August 2025 |
Government of Canada announces C$8.2 million through Global Partnerships Initiative |
| 13 November 2025 |
Referred to Major Projects Office in second tranche of nation-building projects |
| 14 November 2025 |
Provincial EIA construction deadline extended by five years to December 2030 |
| 17 August 2026 | Todd Corporation settles convertible loan, increasing shareholding to 81.90 per cent of Northcliff |
| 31 August 2026 | 2026 Feasibility Study Update released |
| Late 2027 (target) | Construction decision |
| 2030 (target) | Production start |
Sources: Northcliff Resources, Feasibility Study Update, 31 August 2026; Canadian Mining Journal, 1 May 2025; Natural Resources Canada, 7 August 2025; Prime Minister of Canada, 13 November 2025; Northcliff Resources, construction extension, 14 November 2025; Northcliff Resources, loan settlement, 17 August 2026
Cost Summary
The 2026 Feasibility Study Update estimates initial capital expenditure of C$1.53 billion to construct the mine, processing facilities and supporting infrastructure, with sustaining capital of C$571 million over the mine life. Total operating cash costs to concentrate are C$9.23 per tonne milled, net of molybdenum by-product credits.
| Category |
Information |
| Mine |
C$193 million |
| Crushing |
C$211 million |
| Process plant | C$249 million |
| Tailings storage facility and water management | C$118 million |
| Utilities | C$72 million |
| On-site infrastructure | C$114 million |
| Off-site infrastructure | C$125 million |
| Indirects | C$246 million |
| Contingency | C$200 million |
| Total initial capital | C$1,528 million |
| Sustaining capital | C$571 million |
| Reclamation and closure funding | C$147 million |
Source: Northcliff Resources, Feasibility Study Update, 31 August 2026
Regulatory Status
The Sisson Project received provincial environmental impact assessment approval from New Brunswick on 3 December 2015, subject to 40 conditions, 28 of which must be fulfilled before construction starts. As of November 2025, the New Brunswick government confirmed that none of the 40 conditions had been met. The original construction commencement deadline of 2020 has been extended twice: first to December 2025 and then by a further five years to December 2030.
Federal environmental assessment approval was received on 23 June 2017. The federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change concluded that the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects on the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by Wolastoqey (Maliseet) First Nations. The Governor in Council determined that those effects were justified in the circumstances. A Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulation Schedule 2 amendment was authorised in July 2019, and a Fisheries Act Authorisation was received in October 2020.
The project was referred to the Major Projects Office on 13 November 2025 as part of the second tranche of nation-building projects. The MPO is coordinating efforts among federal financing agencies to support financing and regulatory assistance.
Sources: CBC News, provincial approval, 3 December 2015; CBC News, federal approval, 23 June 2017; CBC News, conditions status, 25 November 2025; Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, Environmental Assessment Decision Statement; Major Projects Office
Indigenous Participation
The project is located on the traditional territory of the Wolastoqiyik (Wolastoqey) people, in the Upper Nashwaak watershed area. Six Wolastoqey First Nations hold historical and cultural ties to the land.
In February 2017, the Province of New Brunswick and the six Wolastoqey Nations signed an accommodation agreement providing First Nations with a projected 9.8 per cent of provincial revenue generated from the metallic mineral tax, alongside a C$3 million payment upon federal environmental approval. In the same year, Northcliff entered into a cooperation agreement with Woodstock First Nation providing economic opportunities, financial benefits and a framework for collaboration.
Northcliff states that it has engaged with First Nations communities since 2010. In 2012 the company established the First Nations Environmental Assessment Working Group with representatives from St. Mary's (Sitansisk) and Woodstock (Wotstak) First Nations, the Assembly of First Nations, and federal and provincial governments. The company has expanded its engagement scope since December 2025 to include the consultative bodies for the Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn, Kopit Lodge and Peskotomuhkati Nation and all First Nation communities in New Brunswick.
Sources: Sisson Partnership, Opportunities page; Northcliff Resources, Feasibility Study Update, 31 August 2026; CBC News, accommodation agreement, 10 February 2017
Government Funding
| Date |
Source |
Amount | Purpose |
| 1 May 2025 |
US Department of Defense, Defence Production Act Title III | US$15 million (approx. C$20.7 million) | Expand tungsten domestic capacity and supply chain |
| 7 August 2025 |
Natural Resources Canada, Global Partnerships Initiative | C$8.2 million | Feasibility study update and engineering design |
Source: Northcliff Resources, 1 May 2025; Natural Resources Canada, 7 August 2025
Technical Specifications
- Deposit type: large, structurally controlled, intrusion-related deposit
- Mining method: conventional open pit mining with autonomous haul trucks, electric shovels and hydraulic excavators
- Mill throughput: 30,000 tonnes per day nominal (10.3 million tonnes per year)
- Products: tungsten concentrate and molybdenum concentrate
- Proven and probable reserves: 276.8 million tonnes grading 0.075 per cent tungsten trioxide and 0.023 per cent molybdenum, containing 20.69 million metric tonne units of tungsten trioxide and 138.37 million pounds of molybdenum (effective date 11 August 2026)
- Average annual production: 598,000 metric tonne units of tungsten trioxide and 4.2 million pounds of molybdenum
- First five years average annual production: 767,000 metric tonne units of tungsten trioxide
- Recovery rates: 78 per cent tungsten, 82 per cent molybdenum
- Employment: approximately 500 during construction (two years), approximately 300 during operations
- Power: 58 MW supplied via new 42 km transmission line connected to the New Brunswick grid
- Mine life: 27 years
Source: Northcliff Resources, Feasibility Study Update, 31 August 2026
Sources
- Northcliff Resources, Feasibility Study Update news release, 31 August 2026
- Northcliff Resources, corporate website
- Northcliff Resources, funding announcement, 1 May 2025
- Major Projects Office, Sisson Mine page
- Natural Resources Canada, funding announcement, 7 August 2025
- Prime Minister of Canada, second tranche announcement, 13 November 2025
- Northcliff Resources, construction extension announcement, 14 November 2025
- MINING.COM, feasibility analysis, 2 September 2026
- CBC News, provincial environmental approval, 3 December 2015
- CBC News, federal environmental approval, 23 June 2017
- CBC News, EIA conditions status, 25 November 2025
- CBC News, accommodation agreement, 10 February 2017
- Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, Environmental Assessment Decision Statement
- Sisson Partnership, Opportunities page
- Northcliff Resources, loan settlement announcement, 17 August 2026
- Yahoo Finance, Northcliff Resources profile
