The B.C. government is taking steps to bolster the north island’s mining sector.
At an event in Port Hardy on Friday, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals Jagrup Brar announced the province is adding the Northisle Copper and Gold, Surge Copper and Defense Metals projects to its Critical Minerals Office.
Brar said early co-ordination will help these projects prepare for environmental assessment and permitting while helping them maintain strong environmental standards and consultation requirements.
Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals Jagrup Brar comments:
“British Columbia is known around the world for responsible mining and strong environmental standards,” Brar said. “I am impressed by the way the sector continues to grow while maintaining those values.”
The Critical Minerals Office works with selected advanced project proponents to accelerate permitting by helping co-ordinate First Nations and community engagement, identify regulatory requirements early and align permitting pathways.
Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals Jagrup Brar comments:
“These are just three projects among many that are going to bring prosperity and economic growth to B.C.,” Brar said.
Brar has met with Port Hardy Mayor Patricia Corbett-Labatt and Chief James Nelson of the Quatsino First Nation, and both expressed support for the three projects moving into the regulatory process.
Corbett-Labatt said the district is a resource-dependent community and welcomes the Critical Minerals Office’s support in ensuring the projects advance toward environmental assessment and timely permitting.
