Summary

• The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and Simpcw First Nation have begun discussions to negotiate a decision-making agreement for the Yellowhead copper mine assessments
• The agreement will support regulatory clarity for the proposed project, while ensuring efficient, co-ordinated environmental assessments by the EAO and Simpcw

__________

The Province and Simpcw First Nation have started negotiations on a consent decision-making agreement for co-ordinated and efficient assessments of the proposed Yellowhead Copper mine project in Simpcw territory.

The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and Simpcw First Nation are working together to develop a decision-making framework under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act) and the Environmental Assessment Act, with the project proponent Taseko Mines Limited in support of this important work.

“British Columbians can be confident that major projects under development are reviewed with a strong focus on environmental protection and supporting a resilient economy,” said Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks. “Working together to review projects shows how partnerships between First Nations, the Province and proponents can advance reconciliation, strengthen investment confidence, and support a sustainable future for everyone in B.C.”

The consent agreement, made possible through the ongoing partnership between Simpcw and the EAO, would provide regulatory clarity for the proposed Yellowhead mine and potential future mining projects in Simpcw territory, while ensuring efficient, co-ordinated assessments by the EAO and Simpcw.

“Simpcw developed its own independent assessment process so that our community can evaluate the potential effects of projects according to our own priorities, values, and land stewardship directives,” said Simpcw Ku̓kwpi7 (Chief) George Lampreau. “We have the inherent right to make decisions about what happens in our territory, and we recognize that as we exercise this right, we must do it in a collaborative and transparent fashion with all residents of our territory. We’ve demonstrated this already by advancing several memorandums of understanding with districts and municipalities in our territory. The consent agreement is a provincial tool to recognize Simpcw’s inherent authority. Our Nation will continue to ensure our process will guide how these decisions are made.”

Simpcw and the EAO are taking a collaborative approach that recognizes Simpcw rights and responsibilities as stewards of the land, and strengthens the government-to-government relationship between Simpcw and B.C. The agreement to be negotiated would focus on aligning the two governments’ individual assessment processes, with an efficient, timely, collaborative and consent-based approach. Simpcw consent would be required for the Yellowhead mine to proceed.

“The Yellowhead project has the potential to be a tremendous economic opportunity, creating jobs for decades and bringing significant investment to the Nation and the surrounding region,” said Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals. “This Section 7 agreement represents an opportunity to provide a clear process for the Nation, government and the proponent to work within.”

Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, said: “Working in partnership with Simpcw First Nation and using the tools of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, we have an opportunity to respect rights, while cutting duplication and improving environmental assessment and the process to get to a decision on the proposed Yellowhead Copper mine. Shared decision-making is transparent, accountable and demonstrates reconciliation in action.”

Section 7 of the Declaration Act sets out provisions for engagement when negotiating consent agreements to ensure local governments and potentially affected stakeholders are engaged during negotiations. The following organizations will be consulted during negotiations:

• Taseko Mines Limited
• Thompson-Nicola Regional District
• Cariboo Regional District
• District of Clearwater
• District of Barriere
• Mining Association of British Columbia
• Association for Mineral Exploration

According to the most recent information from Taseko, if approved and developed, the proposed Yellowhead mine would contribute over $900 million annually to B.C.’s GDP over its 25-year mine life, create 525 permanent direct jobs and represent a capital investment of $2 billion. The mine would contribute to B.C.’s growing reputation as one of the world’s largest producers of copper, a critical metal for electrical transmission lines, wind turbines, solar cells and batteries.

“Yellowhead is located in B.C’s Thompson Nicola region, near the community of Vavenby, and within Simpcwúl̓ecw, the territory of Simpcw First Nation. Accordingly, Taseko has agreed it will be reviewed under both B.C.’s environmental assessment process and the Simpcw process, an Indigenous-led assessment and decision-making model,” said Stuart McDonald, president and CEO, Taseko. “In our view, a Section 7 agreement that aligns provincial and Indigenous review and decision-making can provide greater certainty and process efficiency for the Yellowhead project, and ensure it advances in a way that respects the rights, priorities and long-term vision of the Simpcw people.”

The EAO also will consult potentially affected First Nations during negotiation of the consent agreement, including:

• Adams Lake Indian Band
• Neskonlith Indian Band
• Skwlāx te Secwepemcúlecw (formerly little Shuswap)
• Stswēceḿc Xget’tem (formerly Canoe Creek/Dog Creek)
• Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation (formerly Canim Lake)
• Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band

Simpcw is working with those Secwepemc campfires with interests in the project in a campfire-to-campfire manner, consistent with Secwepemc laws and protocols.

Taseko has proposed the new open-pit copper mine in Simpcwulecw, about 150 kilometres northeast of Kamloops near the community of Vavenby, with a production capacity of 90,000 tonnes of ore per day over 25 years. The project entered Simpcw’s assessment process in May 2024 and B.C.’s environmental assessment process in July 2025.

Quick Facts:

• Simpcw is one of 17 First Nations that make up the Secwe̓pemc Nation. The proposed project area is within Simpcw’s Core Territory.
• Section 7 of the Declaration Act provides a mechanism in law for consent agreements to reflect the co-operation of two governments and how First Nations jurisdictions and decisions align with provincial decision-making.
• Section 7 of the Environmental Assessment Act enables its use for projects requiring an environmental assessment.
• The Province has entered into two other consent agreements related to environmental assessment decision-making, both with Tahltan Central Government (one signed in June 2022 for the assessment of the Eskay Creek project, which concluded in January 2026, and one signed in November 2023 for the assessment of the Red Chris mine expansion, currently nearing completion).

Learn More:

For information about Simpcw First Nation, visit: https://simpcw.com/

For information about the proposed Yellowhead Copper project, visit: https://projects.eao.gov.bc.ca/p/68683619301939002361e24a/project-details 

For more information about consent agreements for environmental assessments, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/environmental-assessments/environmental-assessment-process/act-regulations-agreements#consent_agreements

For more information about consent-based decision-making agreements between the Province and First Nations, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/new-relationship/united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples/making-decisions-together

For more information about the environmental assessment process, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/environmental-assessments