British Columbia has approved Imperial Metals’ (TSX: III) plan to deepen and extend the Springer pit at the Mount Polley copper-gold mine, adding about eight more years.
The decision comes after an August court ruling that upheld key permits challenged by an area First Nation. The consent order from Environment and Parks Minister Tamara Davidson, and Mining and Critical Minerals (MCM) Minister Jagrup Brar, lets the expansion move forward under a provincial Mines Act permit amendment.
“We agree that any changes to the effects from the proposed Springer Expansion assessed under the Act would not be significant,” the ministers said in their reasons for the decision published last week.
Changes to the mine plan include deepening the current pit, expanding rock-disposal areas and isolating possibly acid-generating materials in the old Cariboo pit at closure. The company will also continue to treat and…
