Skeena Resources Limited received its Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) for the Eskay Creek Gold‑Silver Project on 27 January 2026, a decisive step that removes the last major regulatory barrier before the company can begin construction and move toward its 2027 production target.
The EAC follows a two‑year assessment that began in August 2024 and included more than 60 engagement sessions with local communities and over 500 meetings with the Tahltan Central Government. The certificate incorporates the Tahltan Nation’s consent under a historic Section 7 agreement signed in 2022, making it the first time a provincial project has secured Indigenous consent in this manner and setting a new precedent for Indigenous‑government‑industry collaboration in Canada.
With the EAC in hand, Skeena can advance to the next phase of development, which will involve securing final permits, mobilizing a $713 million pre‑production capital package and beginning construction. The project is projected to produce roughly 228,000 ounces of gold and 6.6 million ounces of silver annually over a 12‑year mine life, with all‑in sustaining costs of about $300 per ounce net of silver credits. The mine is expected to create around 700 construction jobs and 500 operating jobs, generate an estimated $1.1 billion in provincial tax revenue, and provide significant procurement opportunities for local businesses.
Senior Vice President of Environment & Social Affairs, Nalaine Morin, said the milestone “reflects years of trust‑building and a shared commitment to doing things differently.” CEO Randy Reichert called the EAC a “defining moment in our company’s history” and thanked the provincial government and the Tahltan Nation for their collaboration, noting that the approval “reinforces Eskay Creek’s position as setting the standard for responsible, world‑class development in British Columbia.” B.C. Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals, Jagrup Brar, praised Skeena’s approach, stating that the partnership “is critical to advance important projects like Eskay Creek, which will benefit the entire province while protecting the environment and continuing on our path to reconciliation.”
The Eskay Creek project is one of the highest‑grade, lowest‑cost open‑pit precious‑metal mines globally, and the EAC removes a key risk that could have delayed or derailed the project. By securing Indigenous consent and provincial approval, Skeena has positioned itself to accelerate construction, secure financing, and deliver a high‑margin, low‑cost operation that could become a significant contributor to the company’s portfolio and to the broader mining sector in British Columbia.
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