The North Slave Métis Alliance and the City of Yellowknife have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a new copper recycling program.
The agreement – signed on Wednesday at the AME Roundup conference in Vancouver – will enable the collection, processing and recycling of waste copper from governments, businesses and residents.
According to a news release, the goal is to divert copper from the landfill and recover a material increasingly in demand for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles and modern infrastructure.
Beginning in spring 2026, residents and businesses will be able to drop off copper at existing recycling depots as well as at the city’s solid waste facility.
The project was transferred to NSMA as part of a closure agreement with the Diavik diamond mine, which is preparing to cease operations in March. The copper recycling project will now be operated by Metcor Inc, NSMA’s business arm.
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“Recycling copper uses only about 15 percent of the energy needed to produce new copper from ore, dramatically lowering the carbon footprint and removing a heavy metal from the city’s landfill,” the news release stated.
Mayor Ben Hendriksen said the program supports several priorities, including extending the life of the landfill, reducing fire and electrical hazards, and advancing Yellowknife’s strategic waste management plan.
Marc Whitford, President of the North Slave Métis Alliance, said the agreement “demonstrates what practical co-management looks like on the ground.”
“By leading a copper recycling initiative in partnership with the City of Yellowknife, NSMA is creating local economic opportunity for its membership while contributing directly to Yellowknife’s waste-reduction goals,” he stated.
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“This is Indigenous-led environmental action that benefits the whole community.”
The MOU signing was also attended by NWT industry minister Caitlin Cleveland, Diavik general manager Gord Stephenson and territorial environment minister Jay Macdonald.
Additional details on collection locations and recycling guidelines will be shared in the coming weeks.
NSMA said it plans to approach other North Slave communities later this year to determine whether they are interested in participating in the program.
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