Ontario Fast-Tracks Mayfair Gold's Fenn-Gib Mine Project
The Ontario government added Mayfair Gold's Fenn-Gib project to an accelerated permitting program to reduce review times and attract mining investment.
The Province of Ontario has added Mayfair Gold Corporation’s Fenn-Gib Gold Project to its One Project, One Process accelerated permitting framework. Announced by Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce, the designation aims to reduce government review times by 50 percent by coordinating provincial approvals and Indigenous consultations through a single point of contact at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.
Located in the Timmins gold district near Black River-Matheson, the project involves a C$450-million capital investment for an open-pit mine and on-site processing facility. Mayfair Gold expects to create 700 total jobs, including 250 long-term positions and up to 450 construction roles. The project is projected to add C$3 billion to Ontario's GDP, with construction slated for 2028 and first production targeted for 2030. To fund development, Mayfair Gold secured a C$10-million equity investment and a proposed C$300-million loan from Macquarie Bank.
While Black River-Matheson Mayor Dave Dyment welcomed the economic growth, he noted that additional housing will be required to accommodate the workforce. Conversely, environmental groups such as Ecojustice Canada criticized the streamlining process, arguing that the replacement of the Endangered Species Act with the Species Conservation Act weakens wildlife protections. The government stated the move is part of a broader strategy to build a self-reliant mining supply chain and protect workers against U.S. tariffs.
