Prince George, B.C. – Imperial Metals has received its final permit to allow full operations at its Red Chris gold and copper mine in northwestern BC.

Located about  18 kms southeast of Iskut and  80 kms  south of  Dease Lake,  the copper and gold mine is expected to  provide 350  jobs.

Imperial Metals has  a  co-management  agreement with the Tahltan First Nation, giving the Tahltan  oversight of environmental issues  related to the mine.  There is also a revenue sharing agreement and a guarantee  of training and jobs for the Tahltan people.

In the wake of the Mt. Polley  tailings pond breach,  (another Imperial Metals holding) the tailings storage facility (TSF) at Red Chris Mine has undergone three independent reviews – including one commissioned by the Tahltan Central Council – to assess seepage and design considerations. There has also been  an extensive review of the mine’s  subsurface hydrogeology. 

It was the development of Red Chris  that, in large part,  made the  new Northwest Transmission Line (NWTL) possible. It was Imperial Metals who  extended the NWTL from Bob Quinn to a new substation at Tatooga Lake.

The open pit mine has an expected life of 28 years, and  production estimates of  30,000 tons per day. It was built at a cost of just under $662 million dollars.
 Copper and gold from the mine will be transported to the Port of Stewart where it will be shipped to overseas markets.