Vancouver Island mine to receive support from B.C.’s Critical Minerals Office

A copper and gold mine at the north end of Vancouver Island has been selected by the province’s Critical Minerals Office (CMO) for some additional support.

Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. – near Port Hardy – was selected alongside Surge Copper Corp. and Defense Metals Corp., which are both located on the mainland.

The CMO is designed to help mining projects get set up with permitting, environmental assessment, and other procedural coordination.

For Northisle Copper and Gold, the CMO will help identify requirements and timelines for environmental assessments and support “efficient entry into permitting processes,” as the operation conducts technical and planning work.

“The Critical Minerals Office works with selected advanced project proponents to accelerate their permitting processes by helping co-ordinate First Nations and community engagement, identify regulatory requirements early, align permitting pathways and support readiness for future environmental-assessment and regulatory processes,” said the province in a release Friday.

The B.C. government adds that the CMO helps projects maintain strong environmental standards and meet consultation requirements once operations are underway.

“We welcome inclusion in the Critical Minerals Office and recognize this as an important catalyst for accelerating our North Island Project,” said Northisle Copper and Gold president and CEO Sam Lee. 

“Through government support and improved co-ordination, we can unlock access to national and global partnerships, including funding tools that support Indigenous partnerships, local employment and enabling infrastructure,” he said.

B.C. accounts for roughly 50 per cent of all Canada’s copper production and is the country’s only producer of molybdenum, according to the provincial government.

It adds that the mining sector supports more than 40,000 jobs, and that B.C. produces or “has good potential to produce at least 22 of the 34 critical minerals on Canada’s critical-minerals list as of January 2026.”

Port Hardy Mayor Pat Corbett-Labatt says he’s happy to see the mining project get support from the province.

“On behalf of the District of Port Hardy, a resource-dependent community, we welcome the support of the Critical Minerals Office in helping ensure Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. can move forward with early co-ordination as the project advances toward environmental assessment and timely permitting,” he said.

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