B.C. approves block-caving for Red Chris Mine, site where three workers were trapped
The approval follows a review by the Environmental Assessment Office and adds monitoring requirements for water, air and ground stability.
- On Friday, June 19, 2026, the British Columbia government approved an amended environmental assessment certificate allowing the Red Chris Mine to transition from open-pit to block-caving operations, subject to 27 binding conditions.
- This transition follows a consent-based framework with the Tahltan Nation, enabling the joint venture between Newmont Corporation and Imperial Metals Corporation to advance underground mining operations.
- Development is expected to generate over 1,800 construction jobs and sustain approximately 1,500 peak-season operating roles, while increasing Canada's copper production by roughly 15 percent.
- The site, where three workers were trapped for two days last July, will adopt block-caving after environmental reviews concerning water and air quality and ground stability.
- Newmont is completing a definitive feasibility study with a final investment decision expected later this year, potentially extending the mine's life into the mid-2040s.
59 Articles
59 Articles
Red Chris Mine in BC Expands With Safety in Mind After Previous Collapse
The operator of the Red Chris gold and copper mine in northwestern B.C. says it’s going ahead with expansion to underground mining with the lessons learned from a collapse last year that trapped three workers. The British Columbia government has announced a key regulatory approval for the mine’s expansion, allowing for the use of block-caving, an underground mining method at the facility that’s already operating as an open-pit mine. John Mullall…
Province approves underground expansion at Northwest B.C.’s Red Chris mine - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
B.C. has approved a major expansion for Northwest B.C.’s Red Chris Mine, allowing the open-pit mine to be extended underground and prolonging operations to at least 2038. The approval is the second assessment undertaken through an agreement with the Thaltan Nation. Red Chris is a copper and gold mine 18 kilometres southwest of Iskut owned by the Newmont Corporation, and is on both federal and provincial priority project lists. The province expec…
Province approves underground expansion at Northwest B.C.’s Red Chris mine - Grand Forks Gazette
B.C. has approved a major expansion for Northwest B.C.’s Red Chris Mine, allowing the open-pit mine to be extended underground and prolonging operations to at least 2038. The approval is the second assessment undertaken through an agreement with the Thaltan Nation. Red Chris is a copper and gold mine 18 kilometres southwest of Iskut owned by the Newmont Corporation, and is on both federal and provincial priority project lists. The province expec…
Province approves underground expansion at Northwest B.C.’s Red Chris mine - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
B.C. has approved a major expansion for Northwest B.C.’s Red Chris Mine, allowing the open-pit mine to be extended underground and prolonging operations to at least 2038. The approval is the second assessment undertaken through an agreement with the Thaltan Nation. Red Chris is a copper and gold mine 18 kilometres southwest of Iskut owned by the Newmont Corporation, and is on both federal and provincial priority project lists. The province expec…
Province approves underground expansion at Northwest B.C.’s Red Chris mine - Northern Sentinel
B.C. has approved a major expansion for Northwest B.C.’s Red Chris Mine, allowing the open-pit mine to be extended underground and prolonging operations to at least 2038. The approval is the second assessment undertaken through an agreement with the Thaltan Nation. Red Chris is a copper and gold mine 18 kilometres southwest of Iskut owned by the Newmont Corporation, and is on both federal and provincial priority project lists. The province expec…
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