The Simpcw First Nation and the Government of B.C. have come to an agreement on their approach to assessing the proposed Yellowhead Copper mine.
The Province announced the new consent agreement in a press release on July 16.
It says the agreement “supports regulatory clarity” for the proposed copper mine by “providing for efficient, co-ordinated environmental assessments” by the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and Simpcw, each under their own respective processes.
It notes that Simpcw’s consent, along with a provincial environmental assessment certificate, will be required for the project to proceed.
Yellowhead Copper is a project by Trekor Metals Limited and is proposed to be located in Simpcwul’ecw, Simpcw territory, about 150 km northeast of Kamloops.
“The agreement provides clarity for the review of the proposed Yellowhead Copper mine, aligning the two governments’ individual assessment processes, with an efficient, timely, collaborative and consent-based approach,” the Province said.
It notes that Simpcw and the EAO would “collaboratively carry out their assessment processes to inform their separate decisions” on the proposed copper mine.
The agreement was signed by Simpcw Ku̓kwpi7 (Chief) George Lampreau; Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks; Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation; and Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals.
Lampreau said this marks the first time Simpcw has applied their consent process to a major project, and noted it’s an important milestone for their Nation.
“We worked closely with our community to develop this process, ensuring it reflects our values, our laws and our vision for how decisions should be made in Simpcwul’ecw,” Lampreau said.
The chief remarked that community members will be involved every step of the way, “shaping the process and fostering a genuine sense of ownership” in the process and outcome.
“This agreement advances the exercise of Simpcw’s governance and decision-making responsibilities, while strengthening our relationships with the Province and project proponents,” Lampreau said.
He also noted that the agreement is not just about one project, but about establishing how decisions on new mining projects will be made in Simpcwul’ecw moving forward, “in a way that respects Simpcw’s governance, our people and our responsibilities to future generations.”
Davidson said the Province and Simpcw are building a “strong and lasting relationship” to protect the environment and benefit all the people of B.C.
“By approaching environmental assessments of major projects collaboratively, we can create a sustainable path forward that protects the environment, respects First Nations rights and creates investment certainty for today and for our future generations.”
The Province explained that the agreement, under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, recognizes Simpcw rights and responsibilities as stewards of the land, and strengthens the government-to-government relationship between Simpcw and the B.C. government.
“It provides a strong collaborative framework for aligning environmental assessments and may be amended for potential future mining projects in Simpcw territory where Simpcw is the Indigenous governing body most directly affected by the project, and a provincial environmental assessment is required,” the Province said.
The Yellowhead Copper project began working through Simpcw’s assessment process in May of 2024, while the B.C. environmental assessment process began in July of 2025.
The release says the EAO has engaged with potentially affected First Nations on the agreement and its environmental assessment, including Adams Lake Indian Band, Neskonlith Indian Band, Skwlāx te Secwepemcúĺecw (formerly Little Shuswap), Stswēceḿc Xgāt’tem (formerly Canoe Creek/Dog Creek), Tsq̓ éscen̓ First Nation (Canim Lake) and Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band.
“The EAO will continue to work collaboratively with all potentially affected First Nations throughout the environmental assessment process. In accordance with Secwepemc protocols, Simpcw will continue to work collaboratively with those Secwepemc ‘campfires’ with interests in the project.”
It also notes that Simpcw and the Province engaged industry organizations and local governments about the agreement negotiations, including Trekor, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, the Cariboo Regional District, the District of Clearwater, the District of Barriere, the Mining Association of British Columbia and the Association for Mineral Exploration.