Substantially Started Designation Review on Seabridge Gold's KSM Project Being Progressed by BC's EAO Office
The KSM project’s Substantially Started Designation is under formal reconsideration, with a defined post‑consultation review path and Indigenous input.
Rhea-AI Summary
Seabridge Gold (SA) announced that British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) is progressing its court‑mandated reconsideration of the Substantially Started Designation (SSD) for the KSM Project in Northwest BC.
The SSD, originally granted on July 24, 2024, is being reconsidered following a June 8, 2026 ruling by the Supreme Court of British Columbia that required an additional 90‑day consultation period with the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha (TSKLH), ending September 28, 2026. After this period, Seabridge will be allowed to respond to TSKLH submissions, the EAO will prepare a draft report for review by Seabridge, TSKLH and other Indigenous groups, and then make a recommendation to the decision‑maker, who will reconsider the SSD. Seabridge notes EAO’s stated intent to complete the process efficiently and highlights recent letters of support from the Nisga’a and Tahltan Nations for KSM and a renewed SSD.
Positive
- Court-structured SSD review process with defined consultation end date of September 28, 2026
- EAO states it will seek to complete the SSD reconsideration process as efficiently as possible
- KSM project backed by Nisga’a and Tahltan Nations through recent letters supporting a renewed SSD
Negative
- KSM project’s Substantially Started Designation is under formal reconsideration following a June 8, 2026 court ruling
- Regulatory outcome for KSM’s SSD remains uncertain until the decision-maker completes the reconsideration
Key Figures
- Consultation period
- 90 days
- Additional consultation with TSKLH before SSD reconsideration
- Consultation deadline
- September 28, 2026
- Conclusion of the additional TSKLH consultation period
- Original SSD date
- July 24, 2024
- KSM received its Substantially Started Designation
- Court ruling date
- June 8, 2026
- Ruling requiring EAO reconsideration after further consultation
Historical Context
-
Reported Gitxsan withdrawal of support pending further consultation with TSKLH
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
environmental assessment regulatory
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 22, 2026) - Seabridge Gold Inc. (TSX: SEA) (NYSE: SA) ("Seabridge" or the "Company") reported today that British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Office ("EAO") has updated Seabridge on the status of its reconsideration of the Substantially Started Designation ("SSD") for its KSM Project in Northwest BC. The EAO's letter to Seabridge is linked here.
KSM received its SSD on July 24, 2024. The SSD was subsequently challenged by the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha ("TSKLH") before the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Court's ruling on June 8, 2026 required the EAO to commence a reconsideration of the SSD following an additional 90-day consultation period with the TSKLH. The 90-day consultation period concludes on September 28, 2026.
The EAO's letter advises that "Following the conclusion of the consultation period - at 90 days or, if agreed-upon between the EAO and TSKLH, shortly thereafter - the EAO will provide Seabridge Gold with an opportunity to respond to the TSKLH submissions." It also states "The EAO will then draft a report regarding the substantial start reconsideration in light of the court findings and any relevant new information received. An opportunity to review that draft report will be provided to Seabridge, TSKLH, and other Indigenous Groups. The EAO will then make a recommendation to the decision-maker, and the decision-maker will reconsider the substantial start determination."
Seabridge Chair Rudi Fronk noted that the EAO's letter "recognizes the importance of a timely decision for Seabridge Gold and will strive to complete the process as efficiently as possible, while fulfilling its duty to consult and ensuring that any decision is transparent, well-informed, and durable."
"We appreciate the measured and thoughtful response of the EAO, and we look forward to a full resolution of this matter. We also thank the Nisga'a and Tahltan Nations for their continued support of KSM and a renewed SSD, as articulated in recent letters submitted to the EAO," said Mr. Fronk.
About Seabridge Gold
Seabridge Gold holds a
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"
Chair & C.E.O.
For further information please contact:
Rudi P. Fronk, Chair 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/315317
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.