Thursday January 22, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
A copper-gold mine in northern BC has made headlines in the natural resources community for receiving new permit approval.
Yesterday, Premier David Eby and Mining and Critical Minerals Minister Jagrup Brar announced the permit for Mount Milligan during the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George.
The Province of BC 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 located 90 km north of Fort St. James, extending mining operations by seven years to 2035.
- 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.
“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,” says Paul Tomory, president and CEO, Centerra Gold Inc.
“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,” said Tomory.
Important timing for economic transition:
“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,” the premier said on January 21.
Today at the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George Minister Brar continued express how pleased he is that a significant permit was issued this week, moving BC’s economy forward.
Minerals like copper and gold are important in today’s modern technological world, as part of a range of new technologies. B.C. contributes nearly 50% of Canada’s copper production.
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.
Cross-ministry support:
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,” says Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks.
About the new mine:
Operating since 2013 (though on the books since 1993), Mt. Milligan copper and gold mine provides over 40,000 jobs in communities throughout BC.
The project review was fast-tracked last year by collaborating with other regulatory agencies and creating efficiencies without compromising on high environmental and safety standards or the commitment to consultation with First Nations.
By coordinating with permitting agencies, all regulatory decisions for the project can be made on the same timeline, shaving more than a year off provincial review times and allowing construction to start.
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NEWS SECTIONS: MINING & CRITICAL MINERALS | 43rd PARLIAMENT OF BC