The New Brunswick Environment Department has confirmed J.D. Irving Ltd. wants to build a gypsum mine in the Upham area, about 30 kilometres northeast of Saint John.

The company's application has not yet been released to the public, but a local citizens group says the mine would be close to the Hammond River in Upham.

In a letter posted to the Facebook group Protect Upham Mountain Say No to Gypsum Mine, JDI spokesperson Mary Keith refers the project as an "open pit quarry" needed to sustain operations at the company's wallboard plant in Saint John — which has grown to employ 105 people.

Here’s what Upham residents have to say about the prospect of a gypsum mine in their backyards. 0:54

Keith goes on to say the project will not be visible to existing homes, will have no on-site processing facility and no tailings pond.

"No water quality concerns are anticipated," said Keith.

The letter stated 12 to 15 full-time jobs will be created.

According to the letter, over 10 years the quarry would encompass 40 hectares of a 60-hectare property fronting on Route 111.

Gypsum deposits show on the bank of the Hammond River in Upham. (Brian Chisholm/CBC)

Katherine Sidenius, communications officer with the Department of Environment, confirmed the government has received an environmental impact assessment, or EIA, registration for the proposed project.

"Staff had pre-registration discussions for this proposal as well," she said.

Sidenius said the document arrived Tuesday, but will not be released to the public until next week.

JDI informed 2 groups

Two Hammond River groups say they have been contacted in advance by JDI to make them aware of the company's plans for the project.

"It will be really close to the river," said Sarah Blenis, who helped create the group Protect Upham Mountain Say No to Gypsum Mine.

Sarah Blenis helped create a group opposing the gypsum mine. (Brian Chisholm/CBC)

"It's a salmon-breeding ground as well. So I'm sure it's going to have quite an impact."

Blenis says test drilling has been observed on at least one other parcel of Irving-owned land and there are concerns about potential expansion of the project creating a much bigger scale operation.

There have been rumours of Upham getting a gypsum mine "probably since Upham existed," she said.

"There has been numerous attempts of different companies coming in and trying, and doing exploration. But none of them have ever been able to make a go of it mostly for [economic] reasons. But, obviously, Irving's got a lot of money and they're going to get 'er done."

Upham resident Gerald O’Dell said he's concerned for the amount of noise and dust that could be produced in the area. (Brian Chisholm/CBC)

Upham resident Gerald O'Dell also has concerns the operation will expand to an Irving-owned property near his where there are known gypsum deposits.

"I just sort of wonder: How much noise? How much Dust? How much this, how much that. We just don't like it here."

Used in wallboard

Gypsum is a key ingredient in the manufacturing of wallboard used in residential construction. J.D. Irving owns a wallboard plant in Saint John.

The Hammond River has a small Atlantic salmon population and a dedicated community of volunteers who watch over it.

Hammond River Angling Association president Adam Chateauvert said the group is not prepared to take a position on the proposal until it has learned more.

"We'll be meeting with them in coming days," he said. "They reached out to us last week."

Keith, at JDI refused a request for an interview Tuesday.

In an email exchange, CBC News asked Keith for details about the project, including the location, job projections and timeline. She did not respond to the request for details.