The release of the Marathon Gold mining project in Central Newfoundland from provincial environmental assessment gives the company the green light to move forward with development of the largest gold deposit in Atlantic Canada.

Marathon’s Matt Manson says while they’re still awaiting the conclusion of the federal environmental process, they can now move forward with getting things started.

In the meantime, they are focused on permitting the mine, building their team and doing engineering work.

Site activities are expected by the end of the summer. The mine life is estimated at about 13 years, with an additional 2 years of construction and another 2 years for closing.

The mining operation will consist of two open pit mines in the area of Valentine Lake south west of Beothuk Lake (Red Indian Lake). The two mine sites will be linked by a processing facility. The operation is expected to employ 400 people by 2023-24.