B.C. approves permits for $400M Mt. Milligan mine expansion

Key Takeaways:

• B.C. approved permit amendments allowing Centerra Gold’s Mt. Milligan mine to operate until 2035, increasing ore production and supporting 574 existing jobs, up to 1,000 total jobs, and $400 million in projected capital investment.
• The project advanced through a single, combined environmental assessment and permitting process, cutting timelines by up to 60% while maintaining B.C.’s health, safety, environmental standards, and Indigenous consultation obligations.
• Mt. Milligan is the third project to move forward from the province’s expedited list of 18 priority resource projects, highlighting mining’s role in northern B.C.’s economic strategy and critical minerals agenda.

The Whole Story:

The Province of British Columbia 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, extending mining operations by seven years to 2035.

The expansion will sustain the existing 574 jobs at the operation and support as much as $400 million in projected capital spending, according to a government announcement Jan. 23.

The mine expansion is significant for northern B.C.’s resource sector. The project was identified as a priority by Premier David Eby and represents the third mining project to advance from an original list of 18 projects the government flagged for expedited review.

The approved project increases the ore production rate from 60,000 tonnes per day to 66,500 tonnes per day. The permits were previously set to expire in 2028; the extension allows operations to continue through 2035.

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

“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,” Premier Eby said in the release. “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.”

Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals, said the project demonstrates how co-ordinated permitting can accelerate timelines. “The proponent came prepared and worked collaboratively, which helped shorten timelines and make the process more efficient,” he said.

Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks, added: “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 of Centerra Gold Inc., said the company is pleased with the permitting outcome. “We 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,” he said. “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.”

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