Toronto-listed Seabridge Gold has filed its responses in the Supreme Court of British Columbia to petitions challenging the Environmental Assessment Office’s (EAO’s) decision to grant its KSM project a substantially started (SS) designation.

In July 2024, the EAO ruled that the KSM project had been substantially started, ensuring the project’s Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) would no longer be subject to expiry.

The company’s latest submissions aim to reinforce and expand upon the responses filed by the British Columbia government in April. The documents outline Seabridge’s engagement with the petitioners during the SS application process and refer to the environmental approvals previously secured at the provincial, federal and Nisga’a Nation levels.

Seabridge noted its long-standing relationship with the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation (TSKLH), one of the petitioners, dating back to 2007. “Seabridge’s extensive engagement with the TSKLH and the funding support we have provided… has continued to be available ever since, including during the period of review of our application for an SS determination,” the company stated.

It added that the TSKLH had been included in all regulatory reviews 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 company said.

A court hearing is scheduled for the period from September 22 to 29.

“Our team’s engagement and work in support of advancing KSM has been exemplary, especially while striving to achieve the SS determination,” said Seabridge CEO Rudi Fronk. “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.”

Seabridge’s KSM project is located in British Columbia’s Golden Triangle. The company also holds interests in the Iskut project, also in British Columbia, as well as the Courageous Lake project in the Northwest Territories, the Snowstorm project in Nevada, and the 3 Aces project in the Yukon.