Northcliffe Resources Ltd. of Vancouver and Todd Minerals Ltd. of New Zealand have entered into a partnership to build in New Brunswick one of the world’s largest mines for tungsten and molybdenum (minerals used in the manufacture of steel for a broad range of products such as X-ray tubes and smartphone screens). 

The proposed location is near three small communities on 12.5 square kilometres of crown land in traditional Maliseet First Nations territory and within the Nashwaak River watershed, which supports several fish species, including Atlantic salmon and brook trout. The $579 million project will consist of an open pit, a minerals processing facility, water treatment plant, tailings pond, and ancillary buildings (offices, laboratory, and warehouse). The product will be shipped to market by rail and road. What are the legal risks associated with this project?