BC, Simpcw First Nation sign consent agreement for Trekor Metals’ Yellowhead copper project

The Province of British Columbia and the Simpcw First Nation have entered into a consent-based agreement for the environmental assessment and review of Trekor Metals’ Yellowhead copper project in Simpcwul’ecw (Simpcw) Territory. 

The agreement was signed by Simpcw Ku̓kwpi7 (Chief) George Lampreau; Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks; Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation; and Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals. 

Last week, Trekor Metals (TSX: TKO; NYSE American: TGB) said a Detailed Project Description for the Yellowhead project was submitted to the BC Environmental Assessment Office, providing more information about the proposed project, incorporating additional technical work and community feedback received during the early engagement Phase of the EA process.   

The company also released an economic impact study evaluating the potential impact of the construction and operation phases of the Yellowhead project. 

The company envisions the Yellowhead as a 90,000-tonne-per-day open pit mine that would run for 25 years, producing 178 million lb. of copper annually at cash costs of $1.90 per lb. Over the first five years, average production could reach 206 million lb. at $1.62 per pound. 

Last year, the company released a technical report that more than doubled the value of the project. CEO Stuart McDonald said at the time it “establishes Yellowhead as a world-class copper project in a tier one jurisdiction,” with potential to become one of the largest on the continent. 

“This marks the first time Simpcw has applied our consent process to a major project, and it is an important milestone for our Nation,” Simpcw Chief Lampreau said in a statement. 

“This agreement advances the exercise of Simpcw’s governance and decision-making responsibilities, while strengthening our relationships with the Province and project proponents,” Lampreau said. “This agreement is not just about one project — it is about establishing how decisions on new mining projects will be made in our territory going forward, in a way that respects Simpcw’s governance, our people and our responsibilities to future generations.”  

“Since 2024, Trekor has been advancing the Yellowhead project through the Simpcw process, an Indigenous-led, consent-based decision-making model, and in 2025 initiated the B.C. environmental assessment process,” McDonald said in Thursday’s statement. “We believe the agreement announced today can contribute to a more co-ordinated, efficient and transparent assessment process that benefits the Yellowhead project and all people in British Columbia.”