Highland Valley Copper (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

CRITICAL MINERALS INVESTMENT

Province, Teck celebrate multi-billion-dollar investment set to extend life of Highland Valley Copper

Sep 11, 2025 | 4:37 PM

LOGAN LAKE, B.C — On the same day Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he’s calling five ‘nation-building’ projects, including two in British Columbia, B.C. Premier David Eby was not to be outdone as he announced a massive investment into critical minerals in the province.

It’s the single largest investment into critical minerals in British Columbia history as Highland Valley Copper’s mine extension project is set to add 18 more years to the mine’s useable life.

“(This) means jobs for thousands of British Columbians, it means billions of dollars of economic activity in our province,” said Eby. “It means families from this region, who have worked for generations at this site will continue to do so, but it also means young people who are doing apprenticeships who want to see a long career here at Highland Valley Copper will be able to see that happen. And it means prosperity not just here in the local community but across the province.”

The estimated capital investment by Teck is set between $2.1 and $2.4 billion dollars, and it’s anticipated to add $500 million to the annual GDP.

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“And while this is a major investment in the Nlaka’pamux homeland, B.C. and Canada, it’s also an investment in a cleaner, brighter future,” said Jonathan Price, president and CEO of Teck. “HVC will produce an average of 132,000 tonnes of copper every year and that is vital because copper is critical for almost every aspect of modern life.”

The extension was brought together with consultation of local First Nation communities from across the Nlaka’pamux Nation, marking a change in direction from previous projects.

“This decision to extend the life of this mine is not simply a technical or economic one, it is a decision directly facing our people, our lands and our future,” said Christine Walkem, chief of the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band and chair of Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly board of directors. “For far too, long these decisions were made without us. It cannot continue. The Nlaka’pamux Nation must have a say.”

The project is already underway, with work set to run all the way through 2028 to get the site prepared for continued mineral extraction.

“We sanctioned the project back in July. The province came through for us with a very expeditious permitting process. We had all our contractors lined up and ready to go and the work is well underway now,” said Price. “We expect the project work to flow all the way into 2028. It’s an intensive effort, it’s a large scope.”

While the construction phase is expected to bring 2,900 additional jobs, the premier expects the spinoff to help nearby communities like Logan Lake and Merritt.

“This expansion will result in 1,500 additional ongoing jobs here in the region. That is massive and significant for the many families that are dependent on the direct jobs here at the mine but also the spinoff jobs in local communities,” said Eby.

Eby also said Thursday that the proposed merger between Teck Resources Ltd. and Anglo American PLC is a “vote of confidence” showing the province is a global hub for mining.