First Nation seeks greater oversight as Mount Milligan mine lifespan extended

B.C.'s Environmental Assessment Office approved amendments to extend Mount Milligan mine operations to 2035, with increased production and monitoring requirements; Nak'azdli Whut'en leaders say their environmental guardians will take part in oversight.

B.C.'s Environmental Assessment Office announced an amendment to the environmental certificate for the Mount Milligan copper‑gold mine that would extend operations to 2035. The mine, about 160 kilometres northwest of Prince George, is reported to employ roughly 600 people and sits in Nak'azdli Whut'en traditional territory. The amendment would increase daily ore processing and expand the mine area, and officials say some new monitoring and reclamation requirements have been added. Nak'azdli leaders say their environmental guardians will participate in monitoring and that concerns remain about baseline data and past effluent permitting. Key details: - The EAO announced approval to amend the Mount Milligan environmental certificate and said the amendment would allow operations until 2035, pending further regulatory approvals. - The amendment would increase ore processing from 60,000 to 66,500 tonnes per day and was described by the province as potentially adding up to $450 million in economic benefits to the region. - The approval would allow the mine area to expand by 80 hectares and increase the height of the tailings storage dam by more than 100 metres, according to the EAO statement. - The article says the mine operator, Thompson Creek Metal Company Ltd., a subsidiary of Centerra Gold, is now required to allow Nak'azdli guardians to participate in environmental monitoring; the EAO also requires monitoring of wildlife mortality along transportation corridors and a wetland reclamation plan for closure. - Nak'azdli Whut'en Chief Colleen Erickson told officials the nation saw gaps in baseline data collection and raised concerns about the retroactive permitting of effluent discharges into surrounding waters. Summary: The amendment extends Mount Milligan's permitted operating life and includes measures the province says increase production capacity and add monitoring and reclamation requirements. Nak'azdli Whut'en leaders have secured a role for their environmental guardians in monitoring but have also highlighted gaps in baseline data and concerns about past permitting. Further regulatory approvals are pending.