All permits issued clearing way for construction to begin on Highland Valley Copper extension: Province

The B.C. Government says it has issued all the necessary permits to Teck Resources, as it works to extend the life of the Highland Valley Copper (HVC) mine near Logan Lake by another 15 years.

In a statement, the province said the permits issued under the Mines Act, the Environmental Management Act, and the Water Sustainability Act follow the issuance of the environmental assessment certificate, clearing the way for the project to proceed.

“Our government is committed to making B.C. the economic engine of Canada, and the review and approval of the HVC Mine Life Extension project shows we are making decisions and enabling economic development,” Jagrup Brar, B.C.’s Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals said in a June 23 statement.

That statement also added that construction on expanding Canada’s largest open-pit copper mine can now begin, pending a final decision by Teck Resources’ board of directors.

“I want to thank Indigenous governments and organizations for their meaningful participation, deep contributions, and individual assessments as part of this comprehensive process, and we look forward to continuing to work in partnership with them,” Jonathan Price, the President and CEO of Teck Resources said, in the statement.

“These positive permitting decisions position the project for a final construction sanction decision in the near term that will allow for the continuation of the social and economic benefits of HVC, including approximately 1,500 direct jobs and $500 million in annual GDP.”

The 15-year extension – from 2028 to 2043 – is expected to allow Teck to produce another two-million tonnes of copper. It was identified as a priority project by the B.C. Government as part of its efforts to diversify exports and strengthen the economy.

“By accelerating approvals for Highland Valley Copper’s extension as a provincial priority, we are growing the provincial economy and creating good jobs, while doing our part to help Canada stand strong,” Premier David Eby said in the statement.

The $1.5 billion project will result in 1,526 hectares of new land disturbance, according to the province. Work would include an extension to the existing open pit as well as upgrades and modifications to some infrastructure and processing facilities at the mine site.

The project is expected to add an additional 200 permanent jobs for a total of more than 1,500 as well as around 2,900 jobs during construction.

According to the province, the newly issued permits build on the 17 conditions that were attached to the Environmental Assessment Certificate. It said it will balance the economic benefits of the mine with strong environmental protections as well as measures to mitigate impacts to First Nations and local communities.

First Nations support for the mine extension has been mixed.

The Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly (CNA) — an organization formed in 2013 to manage agreements relating to the mine on behalf of Boston Bar First Nation and the Ashcroft, Coldwater, Cook’s Ferry, Nicomen, Nooaitch, Shackan and Siska Indian Bands — supports the extension. Also expressing support are the Lower Nicola and Kanaka Bar Indian Bands.

The Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc Nation – representing Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and the Skeetchestn First Nation – were opposed as they felt the ‘impacts of the proposed [extension] are neither reasonable nor sustainable.’ The Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council – representing the Lytton, Skuppah, Boothroyd and Oregon Jack Creek First Nations – also requested dispute resolution with the Environment Assessment Office, but did not express opposition. Additionally, the Bonaparte Indian Band neither consented nor opposed.

In a statement, Cook’s Ferry Indian Band Chief Christine Walkem, the chair of Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly, said CNA is committed to ensuring the “voices, values and laws” of the nłeʔképmx people will guide the implementation of the extension project.

“As the project moves into the construction phase, and through the many years that remain in its extended life and into closure, we expect continued accountability, respect and collaboration from all parties,” she said.

“Our work through the nłeʔképmx impact assessment set a new precedent for Indigenous leadership in environmental governance grounded in Indigenous laws and principles, and it creates a pathway for future generations to carry this leadership forward.”

The Highland Valley Copper Mine is the District of Logan Lake’s largest taxpayer, and the extension of the mine’s life is of great interest to that community.

“We always know there’s an end of life so you always have to plan for that but just knowing a little bit more about when that might be is definitely helpful,” Mayor Robin Smith said in January.

“A lot of our infrastructure is starting to age and that’s the expensive stuff – the water, the sewer, the roads, those sorts of things. Just being able to plan out for that kind of stuff [is important].”