While the province put pressure for a speedy approval to expand the Copper Mountain Mine, the mine’s owners have signed new participation agreements with the Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Band that include environmental protection terms.
In a joint news release issued on Feb. 10, Copper Mountain’s owner, Hudbay Minerals, announced the new agreements, signed with each of the bands to replace old agreements signed in 2019.
The new agreements include, but are not limited to, terms for protection of the Similkameen River, benefits for the community, stability for the ongoing operations at the mine, and structured processes for the bands to work with Hudbay to monitor the mine’s operations and address its impact on the environment.
“One really important part of this agreement is that it enhances LSIB’s and USIB’s role in protecting the Similkameen River,” said Chief Keith Crow of LSIB. “The Similkameen is the lifeblood of our territory and culture. We will continue to be very active in monitoring the mine’s effects on the river, and will work with USIB, CMM, and the province to make sure it is not compromised.”
The mine employs more than 600 employees, including members of the bands and residents of communities across the Similkameen Valley.
“We are pleased that we have an improved agreement in place. Our people did not invite mining into our territory, but as stewards of our lands and waters, we need to work with CMM and LSIB to manage the Mine’s impacts on our lands and waters,” said Chief Bonnie Jacobsen of USIB. “ We hope this agreement creates a strong foundation for that work going forward.”
“These new Participation Agreements reflect our ongoing commitment to building strong, respectful relationships with the USIB and LSIB,” said John Ritter, the mine’s project head. “We are proud to work collaboratively with USIB and LSIB to continue to advance responsible mining practices and environmental stewardship. Together, we are committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our operations while protecting the lands and the Similkameen River.”
The new structured processes, the Feb. 10 release adds, will include how the bands will address the New Ingerbelle pit expansion proposal.
The expansion has met with backlash from the bands, not directly with Hudbay, but with the provincial government and the Ministry of Mines over a push for an accelerated timeline.
A draft permit issued by the Ministry of Mines and Critical Minerals on Nov. 21 gave a deadline for input of early December, followed by a referral to decision-makers on Jan. 15.
In a joint statement issued in December, the bands said they were formally triggering a dispute resolution process to address the deadline issue with the hopes of pushing it back just a few months to provide adequate consultation and feedback.
READ MORE: First Nations blast B.C. for ‘hurrying’ Similkameen mine
The Keremeos Review reached out for clarity as to the state of that process and whether the deadlines were adjusted.
The Feb. 10 relase notes that the permit is currently pending approval, and that the participation agreements do not provide advance consent from the bands but just structure how they will address the New Ingerbelle pit with Copper Mountain if it is approved.
Concerns from the First Nations go back years, including prior to Hudbay’s purchase of the mine in 2023, in particular around the tailings pond at the mine and its proximity to the Similkameen River.
READ MORE: Hudbay says no danger from spills at Copper Mountain Mine near Princeton
The mine has been fined for environmental violations, particularly around discharges out of its tailings pond, in recent years, including six fines in 2024.
The expansion of the mine would see the exisiting pit extend to within 50 metres of the Similkameen River and to reach a final depth more than 160 metres below river level, making it the first mine ever allowed to mine below the level of the Similkameen River, and would require the buildup of the tailings dam, already visible from Highway 3, by an additional 63 metres or the equivalent of 19 stories.
If approved, the New Ingerbelle pit would extend the Copper Mountain Mine’s operations for several decades.The mine has been in operation continuously since 2010 and was acquired by Hudbay in 2023. It had operated previously for much of the 20th century.