The Lower and Upper Similkameen Indian Bands have issued a statement blasting Premier David Eby and the provincial government’s economic plan for speeding through a mining proposal in their traditional territory.
The First Nations accused Eby’s Look West plan of failing to live up to what is written inside in, in particular around the importance of partnerships with First Nations for B.C.’s economic future.
“On the New Ingerbelle Project, however, B.C. is hurrying past opportunities for genuine partnership that would benefit the province, First Nations, and business,” the USIB and LSIB stated.
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, 2026.
After a request to extend those deadlines was rejected by the Ministry, both First Nations formally triggered a dispute resolution process, which they say should suspend the deadlines.
“The Nations refuse to be pressured into a rushed decision on a project that will affect the next seven generations and beyond,” the USIB and LSIB stated.
The project would expand the operations at Copper Mountain Mine near Princeton in an area that had been previously mined.
In 2023, despite a call from the LSIB and 22 other groups, the BC Environmental Assessment Office decided there is no need for a full environmental review for the expansion, citing in part the Ministry of Mines own review process.
That led to a breakdown in discussions with the mine’s owner, Hudbay Minerals.
In the Dec. 3 news release, the Bands stated that Hudbay had made strides towards improving relationships and practice at the mine over the past two years.
That work is being strained by the Ministry’s issuing of the draft permit on Nov. 21 and it’s accelerated deadlines.
“In the past the Province of B.C. has made decisions without our consent,” said Kal?lupaqn, Chief Keith Crow of the LSIB. “They are damaging years of trust building by the mine, the government, and our People. Key information required in the Application is still being received, and BC is already drafting decisions.”
Chief Crow called the Jan. 15 timeline a “slap in the face,” and noted that the bands have their own processes and laws to take care of when considering the project.
“We don’t think the mine company is the one driving this short timeline, why is B.C.?” Chief Crow questioned.
Both the USIB and LSIB object to the acceleration towards the Ingerbelle expansion, stating that it meant there wouldn’t be enough time to review the draft or for any critical changes to be implemented before a decision would be made.
“We don’t want to fight about timelines,” said USIB Chief Bonnie Jacobsen. “We want to find ways to solve the hard problems, but B.C. doesn’t seem interested, they want to close the book on the assessment and just get another mine going. The assessment is telling us to be very careful on this one. B.C. doesn’t seem to be listening.”
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 it’s proximity to the Similkameen River.
READ MORE: Hudbay says no danger from spills at Copper Mountain Mine near Princeton
READ MORE: No need for full environmental review of Copper Mt. Mine expansion: EAO
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, the news release states.
The expansion would also necessitate a buildup of the tailings dam, already visible from Highway 3, by an additional 63 metres or the equivalent of 19 stories.
In addition to the impacts to wildlife corridor and the river, the bands stated that a waste rock facility could instead be shifted to the site of a hazardous waste facility located nearby on lands already apportioned for the mine, which they state is missing permits and is out of compliance with the ones it does have.
The First Nations aren’t asking for the process or the project itself to be scrapped, but are asking for four or five months in order to give time for considering and collaboration and a more informed decision.
The release noted that the final application was submitted for the expansion at the end of May 2025, and that a May 2026 decision date would still be less than a year to reach the decision.
The Ingerbelle Pit expansion would extend the mine’s lifetime for several additional decades.
Copper Mountain currently employs over 680 employees according to Hudbay’s website, including members of the local First Nations, and produces copper, silver and gold.