Seabridge Files Responses to Petitions Challenging KSM's Substantially Started Designation

Rhea-AI Summary

Seabridge Gold (NYSE: SA) has filed responses in BC Supreme Court defending the Environmental Assessment Office's (EAO) decision to grant its KSM project a Substantially Started (SS) Designation. The SS status, awarded in July 2024, ensures the project's Environmental Assessment Certificate won't expire. The company's responses support BC Government's April 2025 submissions and detail extensive engagement with TSKLH (one of the petitioners) since 2007, including funding support and regulatory review participation. The court hearing is scheduled for September 22-29, 2025. CEO Rudi Fronk expressed confidence in their responses, emphasizing that the SS Designation remains in effect during the legal process.

Positive

• Environmental Assessment Certificate secured indefinitely through SS Designation
• Continued support from BC Government in legal defense
• SS Designation remains valid during legal proceedings

Negative

• Legal challenges against the project's SS Designation could delay development
• Opposition from indigenous groups (TSKLH) despite years of engagement
• Additional legal costs and resources required to defend SS Designation

Insights

Legal & Mining Regulatory Expert

Seabridge defends its KSM project's regulatory status against legal challenges that could affect project development timeline.

Seabridge Gold has filed court responses defending the "Substantially Started" (SS) designation for its KSM mining project, a critical regulatory milestone that prevents the expiration of its Environmental Assessment Certificate. This legal defense follows petitions challenging the Environmental Assessment Office's July 2024 decision.

The company's responses reinforce earlier submissions by the BC Government and detail Seabridge's extensive engagement with the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha (TSKLH), one of the petitioners. Seabridge emphasizes they've provided funding support to TSKLH since 2007 and included them in all regulatory application reviews, contradicting claims made in the petitions.

This legal challenge represents a regulatory risk for the KSM project, though the SS designation remains in effect during proceedings. The court hearing is scheduled for September 22-29, 2025, creating a defined timeline for resolution of this regulatory uncertainty.

The defense of the SS designation is strategically important as it preserves the project's environmental approvals and prevents potential delays that would occur if permits expired. While Seabridge indicates work will continue during the legal process, the outcome will influence the project's development beyond the current year's work schedule.

For mining projects of this scale, maintaining regulatory continuity is crucial to preserving project economics and development timelines. The CEO's confidence in their legal position suggests management believes the regulatory risk is manageable, though the court's decision remains the determining factor in this challenge.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Seabridge Gold Inc. (TSX: SEA) (NYSE: SA) ("Seabridge" or the "Company") reported today it has filed its responses in BC Supreme Court to petitions challenging the Environmental Assessment Office's ("EAO") decision granting Seabridge Gold's KSM project Substantially Started ("SS") Designation. On July 29, 2024, the EAO determined that Seabridge's KSM project had been substantially started, ensuring that the project's Environmental Assessment Certificate is no longer subject to expiry.

Our submissions further strengthen and broaden the Responses that had been filed by the BC Government in late April 2025, detailing the extent of our engagement with the petitioners in support of our SS application and the previously granted Provincial, Federal, and Nisga'a environmental approvals. Seabridge's extensive engagement with the TSKLH and the funding support we have provided to the TSKLH (one of the petitioners) was initiated in 2007 and has continued to be available ever since, including during the period of review of our application for an SS determination. The TSKLH have been included in all reviews of Seabridge's regulatory applications and participated to the extent they decided warranted, with funding support, contrary to their assertions. Our responses also support BC's position on why granting the SS Designation was not unreasonable. The Petitions, the Responses from Seabridge and the BC Government and our related news releases can be found here. The parties have scheduled the period from September 22 to September 29, 2025 for the court hearing.

Seabridge CEO Rudi Fronk stated "our team's engagement and work in support of advancing KSM has been exemplary, especially while striving to achieve the SS determination. I am confident that our Responses, and those of the BC Government, provide strong support that the EAO's decision to grant the SS Designation was indeed procedurally fair and not unreasonable. Resolving this issue will facilitate the next steps in project development beyond this year's extensive work schedule. While this legal process continues, the SS Designation remains in effect."

About Seabridge Gold

Seabridge holds a 100% interest in several North American gold projects. Seabridge's principal asset, the KSM project, and its Iskut project, are located in Northwest British Columbia, Canada's "Golden Triangle", the Courageous Lake project is located in Canada's Northwest Territories, the Snowstorm project in the Getchell Gold Belt of Northern Nevada and the 3 Aces project in the Yukon Territory. For a full breakdown of Seabridge's Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources by category please visit the Company's website at http://www.seabridgegold.com.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, nor their Regulation Services Providers accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Rudi Fronk"
Chairman & C.E.O.

For further information please contact:
Rudi P. Fronk, Chairman and C.E.O.
Tel: (416) 367-9292 • Fax: (416) 367-2711
Email: info@seabridgegold.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253775

FAQ

What is the current status of Seabridge Gold's (NYSE: SA) KSM project's Substantially Started Designation?

The KSM project's Substantially Started Designation, granted in July 2024, remains in effect while legal challenges are being addressed in BC Supreme Court.

When will the BC Supreme Court hear the challenges to Seabridge Gold's KSM project?

The court hearing is scheduled for September 22-29, 2025.

How long has Seabridge Gold (SA) been engaging with the TSKLH regarding the KSM project?

Seabridge has been engaging with TSKLH and providing funding support since 2007.

What is the significance of the Substantially Started Designation for Seabridge's KSM project?

The SS Designation ensures that the project's Environmental Assessment Certificate is no longer subject to expiry, providing long-term certainty for the project.

How has the BC Government responded to the challenges against Seabridge Gold's KSM project?

The BC Government filed responses in late April 2025 supporting the EAO's decision to grant the SS Designation as reasonable.