Premier David Eby Marks Official Opening of Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension Project

Premier David Eby visited the Highland Valley mine near Logan Lake on Thursday, September 11, to mark the official opening of the Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension project. The project, announced on June 17, 2025, extends the life of Canada's largest open-pit copper mine from 2028 to 2046, with the mine expected to produce approximately 900 million additional tonnes of ore and nearly two million additional tonnes of copper during its expanded life.

Key Takeaways:

• The Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension project is predicted to produce 900 million additional tonnes of ore and nearly two million additional tonnes of copper over the course of the mine's expanded life.
• The project will create up to 2,900 jobs during the construction phase and provide economic benefits to the province, the local community, and First Nations, with the expansion expected to increase local employment by adding 200 more permanent jobs.
• The mine currently employs 1,320 people, with 80 living in Ashcroft, Cache Creek, and Spences Bridge, and will contribute $500 million annually in GDP.
• The project will contribute to reconciliation in action, ensuring the voices of the Nlaka'pamux nation are central to decision-making and the responsibilities to the land are honored.
• Teck CEO and President Jonathan Price acknowledged the long history of mining in the area and recognized the need to involve the Nlaka'pamux nation in decision-making, stating that the mine life extension project is a "big day" not just for Teck but for British Columbia and Canada.
• Premier David Eby noted that the extension project means jobs for thousands of British Columbians, billions of dollars of economic development in the province, and positions British Columbia to be a critical minerals powerhouse while creating jobs and economic opportunities for generations to come.
• The merger of Anglo-American and Teck has committed to locating their new company's headquarters in British Columbia, making it the largest company in B.C.'s history, and recognizing the province as a hub for mining.

Statistics:

• The project is estimated to cost $2.4 billion.
• The Highland Valley mine currently employs 1,320 people.
• 80 of the mine's employees live in Ashcroft, Cache Creek, and Spences Bridge.
• The mine is expected to produce nearly 2 million additional tonnes of copper.
• The project will create up to 2,900 jobs during the construction phase.
• The mine will contribute $500 million annually in GDP.
• The extension project extends the mine's life from 2028 to 2046.

Sources:

• "Premier David Eby visits Highland Valley mine, marks official opening of life extension project" by the Ashcroft Cache Creek Journal, 2025.