The British Columbia government has granted approval for a multi-billion-dollar expansion of the Red Chris gold and copper mine, positioning owner Newmont Corp. to make a final investment decision later this year. The mine, located in northern B.C., holds a mineral resource of 20 million ounces of gold and 13 billion pounds of copper.
Project Details and Timeline
The Red Chris Block Cave project is estimated to cost approximately $3 billion. Newmont, a global mining giant headquartered in Denver, Colorado, owns a 70% stake in the mine, with Imperial Metals Corp. holding the remaining 30%. The expansion will transition the existing open-pit operation to an underground block-cave method, where a large ore body is undercut to collapse under its own weight, allowing extraction from below.
This method is expected to extend the mine's life by more than a decade and increase Canada's annual copper production by over 15%. Copper is classified as a critical mineral and is largely exported from B.C. to Asia, supporting technology and clean energy sectors.
Government Fast-Track and Strategic Importance
The Red Chris project was included on both provincial and federal fast-track project lists, designed to boost production of critical minerals. The B.C. government has prioritized 18 major projects to combat U.S. tariffs, and the Red Chris expansion is a key component of this strategy.
“The Red Chris Block Cave project represents a compelling long-term opportunity and (the) approvals mark a significant milestone in stage-gating, as Newmont progresses toward a final investment decision later this year,” said Natascha Viljoen, Newmont’s president and CEO. “With significant mineral endowment, availability of clean hydroelectric power, port access, supportive governments, and strong Indigenous economic leadership, northwest British Columbia is emerging as a world-class mining district.”
Indigenous Partnership and Consent-Based Framework
The project has the support of the Tahltan Nation, whose traditional territory encompasses the mine site. The approval process involved a shared-decision framework with the First Nation, reflecting a consent-based approach to resource development.
“Some have questioned whether recognizing Indigenous rights would make it harder to advance major projects in British Columbia,” said Kerry Carlick, president of the Tahltan Central Government. “(This) announcement provides a clear answer. The approval of the Red Chris Block Cave Project, developed in partnership with the Tahltan Nation, the province, and Newmont, the world’s largest gold producer, shows that meaningful Indigenous involvement creates certainty, strengthens projects and delivers benefits that are shared by all British Columbians.”
Company Background and Operations
Newmont operates mines across North America, including the Bruce Jack gold and silver mine in northern B.C., as well as in South America, Australia, Africa, and Papua New Guinea. The Red Chris mine is already a large operating open-pit mine, and the expansion aims to significantly boost its output and longevity.
