Newmont's Brucejack mine is located in the Golden Triangle
The minerals-rich Golden Triangle of British Columbia received a boost on Monday, with the announcement of a C$195-million highway infrastructure upgrade that will support the development of mining projects in the region.
The Golden Triangle holds about 75% of Canada’s known copper reserves and also has several molybdenum, zinc and cobalt projects.
Government estimates that expanded and improved highways could unlock C$20-billion in capital investments, C$450-million a year in mineral taxes and create thousands of jobs.
“We are seizing the generational opportunity before us to create jobs, not only in north-west BC, but also in communities across the province that supply and provide services to our mining sector,” said British Columbia Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Minister Josie Osborne.
“Working with Tahltan and Canada, these significant investments into Highways 37 and 51 will provide safer roads for workers and residents alike, in Tahltan, Nsiga'a and Gitanyow territories, and better services for people and communities in the region.”
The project will provide a series of improvements for Highways 37, 37A and 51, which include widening shoulders, creating pullouts for slow-moving vehicles, adding chain up/chain off areas and increasing Wi-Fi access along 800 km of roadway. These upgrades are crucial to allow increased industrial traffic linked to mining activity and will generate well-defined, long-term benefits for First Nations and local communities in the region, including enhanced safety, reliability and accessibility of essential services.
The British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will contribute C$120-million and the federal government the balance of C$75-million.
The mining industry welcomed the highway upgrade, with Newmont North America director Bernard Wessels describing the funding as welcome news. “. . . it will go a long way in improving key highways in north-western British Columbia. It is a big win for ensuring the safety of road users from local communities and for the nearly 3 000 workers at Newmont's Brucejack and Red Chris mines."
Galore Creek GM Rob Mean commented that the improvements to highways proved that Canada and British Columbia were committed to reconciliation and critical mineral development.
Skeena Resources senior VP for external affairs Justin Himmelright said better roads would encourage economic investment of all kinds in the region. “Most importantly, better roads mean safer travel for northern residents who regularly travel long distances for basic services and supplies."
"We welcome today's federal and provincial infrastructure investment in north-west British Columbia as a pivotal moment for our critical minerals industry. This funding underscores the importance of mineral exploration in the region, supporting economic growth, environmental stewardship and collaboration with Indigenous communities. Investments like this assist in unlocking the mineral potential of this resource-rich province,” said Association of Mineral Exploration president and CEO Keerit Jutla.