VICTORIA — The Province of B.C. is reporting it has fully permitted the Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension (HVC MLE) project west of Logan Lake.
The extension was identified by Premier David Eby as a priority project to expedite as part of the province’s efforts to diversify exports and strengthen the economy.
The permits issued under the Mines Act, the Environmental Management Act, and the Water Sustainability Act follow the June 17, 2025, issuance of the Environmental Assessment Certificate by the ministers of mining and critical minerals, and environment and parks, and clears the way for the project to proceed, a release reads.
“By accelerating approvals for Highland Valley Copper’s extension as a provincial priority, we are growing the provincial economy and creating good jobs, while doing our part to help Canada stand strong,” Eby said.
HVC is an open-pit copper mine owned by Teck Resources Ltd. approximately 17 kilometres west of Logan Lake. The project will extend the life of the mine into the mid-2040s, the release adds, producing an additional 900 million tonnes of ore. The expansion will also add an additional 200 jobs, bringing the workforce to more than 1,500 people.
The most recent permits build on the 17 conditions attached to the Environmental Assessment Certificate.
“Receiving regulatory approvals from the Government of B.C. is a further step forward in extending the life of Canada’s largest copper mine, supporting jobs and generating economic activity,” said Jonathan Price, president and CEO of Teck Resources. “These positive permitting decisions position the project for a final construction sanction decision in the near term that will allow for the continuation of the social and economic benefits of HVC, including approximately 1,500 direct jobs and $500 million in annual GDP.”
The province carried out a combined environmental assessment and permitting process for the HVC MLE project that included a technical review table for all parties involved.
“This decision is good news for our members at Highland Valley Copper and for workers across the region who rely on stable, family-supporting jobs,” said Scott Lunny, director, District 3 for the United Steelworkers union. “Extending the life of this mine means increased economic certainty for hundreds of union families and their communities. We welcome the province’s commitment to getting critical mineral projects like this across the line while maintaining Indigenous engagement and strong environmental and community standards. Our union will continue working to ensure that workers’ voices are heard as this project moves forward.”
The project is now approved to start construction, pending a final construction decision by Teck’s board of directors.
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