Hudbay Minerals Inc. has celebrated the opening of the New Ingerbelle Expansion Project at the Copper Mountain Mine near Princeton.
The official opening was held on June 16 and was attended by Jagrup Brar, B.C.’s Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals, Chief Charles Allison of the Upper Similkameen Indian Band, as well as local and regional stakeholders.
“This is an important day for the Copper Mountain Mine, for Princeton and for the Similkameen region,” said Peter Kukielski, president and chief executive officer of Hudbay.
“The opening of New Ingerbelle helps secure the long-term future of the mine, supports more than 800 full-time jobs beyond 2040 and ensures the Copper Mountain Mine continues to deliver economic benefits to local families, businesses and communities.”
The Copper Mountain Mine is an open-pit copper and gold mine around 20 kilometres south of Princeton.
Brar said the expansion will help contribute to well-paying jobs in the region.
“This expansion is a huge vote of confidence in this community, reflecting the skills and training of workers who make this industry possible, and the strong momentum in British Columbia’s world-leading mining and critical minerals sector,” he said.
The province recently added New Ingerbelle to its list of priority resource projects.
The expansion received key mining permits on Feb. 19, following a review of the application that began in April 2025.
During the process, the mine worked with the British Columbia Major Mines Office, the Upper Similkameen Indian Band and the Lower Similkameen Indian Band.
Earlier, the Upper Similkameen Indian Band and the Lower Similkameen Indian Band had issued a statement raising concerns criticizing government for rushing the mine project.
In February, the owner of the mine signed new agreements with the bands, replacing agreements which had been signed in 2019.
“Our people have stewarded these lands and waters since time immemorial,” said Chief Charles Allison of the Upper Similkameen Indian Band.
“As this project moves forward, our priority is ensuring the protection of the Similkameen River and surrounding ecosystems. We will continue to work to ensure that development respects our stewardship responsibilities and the long-term health of our territory.”
Based on current reserves, New Ingerbelle is expected to produce around 750,000 tonnes of copper, 900,000 ounces of gold and 5.5 million ounces of silver.
“The Copper Mountain Mine has been part of this region for decades, and the New Ingerbelle expansion represents the next chapter in that story,” said Rob Carter, Hudbay’s senior vice president for Canada.
“It reflects our long-term commitment to the future of the mine and to the people and communities that help make its success possible.”
The project is expected to generate more than $11.5 billion in provincial gross domestic product and more than $2.2 billion in labour income. It will preserve more than 800 jobs.