The BC Environmental Assessment Act stipulates that an EAC will expire if a project has not been substantially started by the deadline specified in the certificate. In KSM’s case, the deadline is July 29, 2026.
However, the province’s minister of environment and climate change strategy may determine that a project has been ‘substantially started’ before this deadline, in which case the EAC will remain in effect beyond that date.
In determining whether a project has been substantially started, the minister assesses on a project-specific basis whether sufficient permanent on-site physical improvements have been completed to warrant the designation. Examples of BC mining projects designated as ‘substantially started’ include Galore Creek, Kemess and Kitsault.
“We look forward to working with the BC EAO and First Nations on the review of our application. The permanent physical improvements we have made to the KSM site are…
