‘One project, one review:’ British Columbia minister fast-tracks mine permits, IP protection

[Redator]

Six months into the job, British Columbia’s Critical Minerals Minister Jagrup Brar says major mine permitting timelines have narrowed by over a third, as new mining rules are set to hasten new applications.

The government is to test its new parallel-review process in BC’s northwestern ‘Golden Triangle’ region, Premier David Eby announced on Monday. The framework seeks to boost critical-mineral output and support community development. This will happen through agreements with First Nations that are based on consent.

MABC maps opportunities for British Columbia as a global player in critical minerals markets

“We have made significant progress while not compromising reconciliation, not compromising the integrity of the environmental assessment,” Brar told The Northern Miner.

Amendments to both the Mineral Tenure Act (MTA) and the Environmental Assessment Act came into force on March 26, introducing a new Mineral Claims Consultation Framework. Under the new rules, staking applications trigger a 20-day response clock and cannot proceed to licensing until First Nations sign off.

Running consultation in parallel with technical review speeds approvals without compromising data security, Brar said. The province has also driven down regional permit processing backlogs by 52% through adopting the same approach, Brar said.

As far as the amendments affect First Nations, the changes require the ministry to send only an exploration company applicant’s name and claim location to affected First Nations. They must withhold all technical or exploration data to protect the prospectors’ confidential information.

The province shares only the minimum information. This way, prospectors keep full control of their intellectual property. At the same time, First Nations can exercise their consultation rights, the minister said. It was a key concern among nervous prospectors during the court-mandated MTA rewrite process.

“Let me be clear: we will not cut corners,” he said.

There are high stakes to making permitting more efficient, according to the Mining Association of BC (MABC). A May 1 study from the MABC estimates 27 advanced projects could generate C$90 billion in economic activity. That includes C$41 billion in near-term investment, 35,000 jobs and C$12 billion in tax revenues, with long-term output of nearly C$1 trillion over several decades. It calls for urgent action on permitting delays to unlock that potential.

Economic impact of mining projects in British Columbia valued at $65 billion, says MABC

Mining strategy

Eby’s wider,  Golden Triangle-focused strategy promises more agreements with First Nations. It aims for a faster process to protect important watersheds and includes investments to help communities near new mines.

The Golden Triangle sits along the Alaska border, down to Stewart and touches near Galore Creek on its northeast point. It includes producing operations such as Newmont’s (NYSE: NEM, TSX: NGT) Brucejack and Red Chris mines, as well as advanced projects like Ascot Resources’ (TSX: AOT) Premier site and Seabridge Gold’s (TSX: SEA; NYSE: SA) KSM. Teck Resources (TSX: TECK.A/TECK.B, NYSE: TECK) also holds its Schaft Creek development joint venture with Copper Fox (TSXV: CUU).

The plan also aims to align provincial and federal reviews – “one project, one review” – and to pursue trade agreements that prioritize BC’s minerals and metals, Brar said.

The Association for Mineral Exploration called the strategy a “generational opportunity” in a May 26 news release. To supply critical minerals, the province needs efficient and timely permitting processes, it argued.

“The province’s proposed strategy must quickly bring confidence and clarity with access to land for mineral exploration and development,” the 6,000-member-strong AME said. It calls for a more open and transparent process “that includes the mineral exploration sector at the table with government, First Nations and other partners.”

Critical permits

The minister frames faster approvals as important to meeting surging demand for critical minerals, boosting jobs and exports. Faster approvals will help diversify trade beyond tariff-hit US markets and supply materials for the green economy.

Since 2017, mining jobs have risen by 10% to around 40,000 full-time roles. Also, mineral exports increased by 41% to nearly C$17 billion ($12.3 billion) in 2023, based on the minister’s data.

The first group of about 12 major mine proponents will submit their mining applications by July. The minister expects final decisions on this initial group by the end of the year.

Mines tour

Brar has spent time visiting major mines and projects since taking office in November. He’s visited half the mines during the past six months.

“My goal is to visit all the mines,” Brar said of site tours at Teck’s Highland Valley Copper, Hudbay Minerals’ (TSX, NYSE: HBM) Copper Mountain and Centerra Gold’s (TSX: CG; NYSE: CGAU) Mount Milligan. There he met neighbours and front-line workers “to hear their concerns” and seize what he called “a historic opportunity to make a positive change for people.”