Mining Technology

BC Government accepts Surge Copper’s Berg Project

The inclusion signals that the province recognises the project's potential impact on its critical minerals strategy.

The Government of British Columbia (BC) in Canada has accepted Surge Copper’s Berg Project into the province's Critical Minerals Office (CMO).

This development places the project at the forefront of both provincial and federal initiatives aimed at bolstering secure and responsible mineral supply chains.

The Berg Project, owned entirely by Surge Copper, is set to become a significant contributor to BC’s long-term economic and industrial goals.

It hosts a copper-molybdenum-silver deposit in central BC and has a projected mine life of more than 30 years.

Inclusion in the CMO means the Berg Project receives coordinated support from various ministries and agencies in BC. This support aims to streamline the regulatory process, ensuring that priority projects progress in a clear manner.

The inclusion signals that the province recognises the project's potential impact on its critical minerals strategy.

Surge Copper Environment and Regulatory Affairs vice-president Jennifer Anthony said: “Inclusion in the CMO is an important milestone for the Berg Project. Coordinated engagement across provincial agencies, together with our ongoing collaboration with First Nations partners, is foundational to advancing large-scale projects responsibly and efficiently.

“We appreciate the province’s support and look forward to working closely with the CMO as we continue to move Berg forward through the regulatory process.”

Surge Copper, based in Canada, is advancing its operations within one of BC’s emerging copper districts.

According to a 2023 Preliminary Economic Assessment, the Berg Project is expected to primarily produce copper, with molybdenum, silver and gold as byproducts.

Currently, the company is working on a pre-feasibility study to further evaluate the project's economic and technical aspects.

BC Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals Jagrup Brar said: “The Berg Project represents a significant opportunity to strengthen our province's role in supplying the minerals that are essential to clean energy, economic resilience and global supply chain security.”