The New Brunswick government is looking for a company to reopen a mine that used to be one of North America’s largest producers of the critical mineral antimony.

The former Lake George mine, about 30 kilometres southwest of Fredericton, operated intermittently from 1876 to 1996, according to a government website.

The shiny grey metal is mainly used as a flame retardant, but it is also used in solar panels, lead-acid batteries and more recently in infrared missiles, nuclear weapons and night vision goggles.

“With global supply heavily concentrated in China, there is growing demand for secure and reliable sources (for critical minerals),” the government said in a statement.

“The project represents an opportunity to support domestic supply chains while advancing economic development in the province.”

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The proposed Sisson open-pit mine is a partnership between Vancouver-based Northcliff Resources and its majority owner, New Zealand’s Todd Corp.

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