Newmont's Red Chris Mine Wins BC Approval for Underground Block Cave Transition
According to Mining.com, Newmont’s Red Chris copper-gold mine in British Columbia’s Golden Triangle has received an amended Environmental Assessment Certificate and an amended Mines Act permit from the province, clearing the way for a shift from open-pit operations to underground block caving. The approvals, achieved through a consent-based process with the Tahltan Nation, represent a key stage-gate milestone as Newmont advances toward a final investment decision later this year. The mine’s lifespan is expected to extend into the mid-2040s.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Underground development work at Red Chris is moving closer to a construction phase, meaning field contractors in Northern BC specializing in shaft sinking, underground haulage, or mine infrastructure should begin tracking procurement timelines ahead of a potential FID later in 2026.
- The transition from open-pit to block caving represents a significant shift in scope, with different equipment, ground support, and ventilation requirements that favor contractors with underground mining experience over surface mining backgrounds.
- Newmont’s stated long-term commitment to northwest BC, combined with clean hydroelectric power access and port infrastructure, signals a sustained pipeline of work in the region beyond this initial permitted phase.
