The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
North of 60 Mining News - September 20, 2024
Outcropping copper mineralizaiton at Galore Creek. National Resources Canada has conditionally committed to investing C$20 million into support the construction of a road to this world-class copper-gold project in British Columbia's Golden Triangle.
Crews install power lines connecting the Brucejack gold mine in Northern British Columbia to BCHydro's Northwest Transmission Line.
Looking over the valley at Galore Creek, a Northern B.C. project that hosts 12 billion lb of copper.
Map of potential route for connecting the Yukon to the north end of the electrical grid in B.C.
Toward the goal of positioning Canada as a global leader in the production of minerals essential to the clean energy transition, Ottawa is investing C$60 million (US$44.2 million) in energy and transportation infrastructure in the Yukon and British Columbia's Golden Triangle.
"These investments are needed to support critical minerals development in the region, improve community access and safety, and create good mining jobs across British Columbia and the Yukon," Canada Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson said in a statement introducing the investments.
Crews install power lines connecting the Brucejack gold mine in Northern British Columbia to BCHydro's Northwest Transmission Line.
Pending final due diligence from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), this funding being provided through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) will support the building of a road to the world-class Galore Creek copper project in Northern B.C. and the advancement of a high-voltage transmission line that would connect the Yukon electrical grid to the North American electrical grid.
"These two projects, under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy's flagship program, will develop the necessary infrastructure to access and transport our rich critical mineral resources in northern B.C. and the Yukon," Wilkinson added. "Developments like these help mines get built faster, and they are a key element in seizing the generational opportunity before us."
NRCan has conditionally approved up to C$20 million (US$14.7 million) to support the construction of a 43-kilometer (27 miles) road to Galore Creek, an enormous copper-gold mine project within the Tahltan Nation Territory in northwestern B.C.
"Canada's support for Galore Creek represents confidence in our project, our owners, the relationships we have fostered with the Tahltan Nation and our commitment to responsibly developing a world-class copper-gold mine," said Rob Mean, general manager of Galore Creek Mining Corp., a 50-50 joint venture between Newmont Corp. and Teck Resources Ltd.
Galore Creek hosts 1.2 billion metric tons of measured and indicated reserves averaging 0.46% (12.16 billion pounds) copper, 0.25 grams per metric ton (9.44 million ounces) gold, and 4.5 g/t (174 million oz) silver.
Looking over the valley at Galore Creek, a Northern B.C. project that hosts 12 billion lb of copper.
A prefeasibility study (PFS) completed in 2011 envisioned a mine at Galore Creek producing 6.2 million lb of copper, 4 million oz of gold, and 65.8 million oz of silver over an 18-year span.
Galore Creek Mining is working on a new PFS that will include market changes and incorporate the work that has been completed at the project over the past 13 years.
This economic and engineering study is expected to detail plans for a mine that, once in production, will not only significantly increase Canada's annual copper output but also provide the copper needed to support the clean energy transition.
"Galore Creek has the potential to significantly increase Canada's production of the copper needed for the energy transition and global development, generating jobs and economic activity, in alignment with Teck's focus as a Canadian-based energy transition metals company," Teck Resource President and CEO Jonathon Price.
This project, however, will require a road to lower the costs of mine development and deliver copper concentrates to market.
The road corridor will also be used to build a transmission line that connects Galore Creek to BC Hydro's low-emission electrical grid, which will help lower the carbon footprint of the copper produced at the future mine.
The C$20 million investment in a road to Galore Creek is in addition to the C$195 million (US$143.8 million) in federal and provincial investments announced earlier this year to upgrade highway infrastructure in the Golden Triangle.
"We have a generational opportunity to create good jobs, not only in northwest B.C. but also in communities across the province that supply and provide services to our mining sector," said B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. "That's why we are working with Canada and First Nations on key infrastructure upgrades needed to unlock billions of investments in new critical mineral mines like Galore Creek and provide new opportunities for people and communities."
The remaining C$40 million (US$29.5 million) investment announced by NRCan will support the Yukon government's efforts to undertake activities related to completing a PFS for a 765-kilometer (475 miles), high-voltage transmission line network that would connect the northern territory to North America's electrical grid.
Map of potential route for connecting the Yukon to the north end of the electrical grid in B.C.
"This project will connect Canada's two most western jurisdictions, helping bring the Yukon on to the North American power grid," said Yukon's Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, John Streicker. "It marks a significant step in our shared journey to build a more connected and resilient energy landscape for Yukoners while reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
BCHydro's Northwest Transmission Line already delivers industrial-grade hydroelectricity deep into Northern B.C.
Known as "The Grid Connect Project," this northern extension of the electrical grid is expected to include proposed energy infrastructure in two priority critical mineral development regions – Yukon's Cassiar and Tanana regions and B.C.'s Golden Triangle.
Clean and affordable power delivered to these regions could support future mines that produce cobalt, copper, molybdenum, nickel, platinum group metals, tungsten, zinc, and other critical minerals in the Yukon and Northern B.C.
"The Grid Connect Project is more than an energy initiative: it presents a transformative opportunity for all Yukoners," said Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai. "By delivering clean, affordable and reliable clean energy, this project will not only power our homes but also drive economic and social growth."
Over his more than 16 years of covering mining and mineral exploration, Shane has become renowned for his ability to report on the sector in a way that is technically sound enough to inform industry insiders while being easy to understand by a wider audience.
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