Summary

• Environmental Assessment Certificate, Mines Act and Environmental Management Act permits issued for Mt. Milligan mine expansion near Fort St. James
• Supports the existing 574 jobs and as much as $400 million in projected capital spending
• Extends the life of the operation by seven years until 2035
• The project was identified as a priority by Premier David Eby and is the third mining project to move forward from the original list of 18 projects.

The Province has issued amendments to the Environmental Assessment Certificate, Mines Act permit and Environmental Management Act permit for Centerra Gold Inc. to expand the Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine near Fort St. James, extending mining operations by seven years to 2035.

“The Mt. Milligan mine expansion will ensure hundreds of good, family-supporting jobs are secure for years to come, while generating hundreds of millions of dollars in additional economic benefits for the region and beyond,” said Premier David Eby. “Our government expedited this priority project by creating efficiencies without compromising our high environmental and safety standards or our commitment to consultation with First Nations. We’re going to keep that momentum going as we continue to advance major projects and make B.C. the economic engine of the new Canadian economy.” 

Supporting jobs at Mt. Milligan

The permits were expected to end in 2028. The new permits mean operations can continue through 2035. The mine expansion supports the existing 574 jobs and includes a projected capital expenditure of as much as $400 million.

The approved project includes an increased ore production rate from 60,000 tonnes per day to 66,500 tonnes per day.

“People in northern B.C. rely on good jobs and strong protections,” said Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals. “This project shows how co-ordinated permitting can move faster while maintaining strong standards. The proponent came prepared and worked collaboratively, which helped shorten timelines and make the process more efficient.”

Working in collaboration

• The Environmental Assessment Office, the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals, and the Ministry of Environment and Parks streamlined the project through a single, combined application, review and consultation process.

Improving timelines while maintaining strong standards

• The aligned approach reduced duplication and improved review timelines while maintaining technical rigour and obligations to Indigenous right holders, with no changes to B.C.’s health, safety and environmental standards.
• Proponent project readiness and collaborative engagement supported a more efficient review process.            

A co-ordinated environmental assessment and permitting through a combined process can result in upwards of a 60% reduction in timelines compared to undertaking the environmental assessment and permitting processes separately.

Quotes:

Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks –

“Collaborating with other natural-resource ministries allows for a clearer review, not a lighter one. The refined review process will continue to provide strong environmental protections while supporting B.C.’s economic growth.”

Paul Tomory, president and CEO, Centerra Gold Inc. –

“We are pleased with the outcome of the recently completed permitting process with the Province and see it as a strong example of what can be accomplished when governments, First Nations and industry work together in support of responsible resource development. Mt. Milligan continues to play a vital role in advancing Centerra’s long-term growth strategy in British Columbia, and this operating extension is expected to sustain more than 1,000 jobs and generate meaningful economic benefits and opportunities across the province.”

Learn More:

• To find more about the project progress through Environment Assessment Office, visit: https://projects.eao.gov.bc.ca/
• To learn more about B.C. mining projects, visit: https://mines.nrs.gov.bc.ca/mine/5fa1e41d4635c865df00d117/overview

A backgrounder follows.