- The BC Government defends its decision to award a Substantially Started (SS) Designation to Seabridge Gold's (SA, Financial) KSM project in court.
- The SS Designation, granted on July 29, 2024, secures the project's Environmental Assessment Certificate from expiring.
- Court hearings are set to take place from September 22-29, 2025, while the SS Designation remains in effect.
The Government of British Columbia has filed responses at the BC Supreme Court to petitions challenging the Environmental Assessment Office’s decision to grant a Substantially Started (SS) Designation to Seabridge Gold's (SA) KSM project. This designation, issued on July 29, 2024, ensures that the project's Environmental Assessment Certificate will not expire, providing long-term assurance for its development.
The BC Government’s response details its consultation process, communications, and procedural fairness measures with petitioners who oppose the SS determination. This legal defense underscores the government’s stance that granting the SS Designation was not unreasonable. A court hearing is scheduled from September 22 to 29, 2025, to address these petitions.
Seabridge Gold's CEO, Rudi Fronk, has expressed confidence in the integrity of the EAO's decision-making process, affirming that the SS Designation will remain effective throughout the ongoing legal proceedings. Seabridge Gold plans to file its own response to the petitions in the upcoming weeks.
