Korah De Walt-Gagnon, project manager, and Ursula Johnston, community relations advisor, presented an update to the District of Clearwater council on the Yellowhead Copper mine project. The presentation provided an overview of the project's progress, including the submission of the initial project description (IPD), the planned completion of the detailed project description (DPD), and the upcoming site investigation program.
Published 7:30 pm Tuesday, May 12, 2026Korah De Walt-Gagnon, project manager of the Yellowhead Project, presents a progress report to the District of Clearwater council.
Standing next to her is Ursula Johnston, community relations advisor for the project. The council meeting took place on May 12, 2026. Slides from a presentation made by Yellowhead Project representatives Korah De Walt-Gagnon and Ursula Johnston to District of Clearwater council on May 12, 2026. Slides from a presentation made by Yellowhead Project representatives Korah De Walt-Gagnon and Ursula Johnston to District of Clearwater council on May 12, 2026.
Slides from a presentation made by Yellowhead Project representatives Korah De Walt-Gagnon and Ursula Johnston to District of Clearwater council on May 12, 2026. Slides from a presentation made by Yellowhead Project representatives Korah De Walt-Gagnon and Ursula Johnston to District of Clearwater council on May 12, 2026. Slides from a presentation made by Yellowhead Project representatives Korah De Walt-Gagnon and Ursula Johnston to District of Clearwater council on May 12, 2026.
Slides from a presentation made by Yellowhead Project representatives Korah De Walt-Gagnon and Ursula Johnston to District of Clearwater council on May 12, 2026. The Yellowhead Copper mine project is years away from opening its doors despite the province of B.C. recently listing it as a priority. On Tuesday, May 12, representatives from Taseko gave an update to the District of Clearwater council on where the project currently stands.
The presentation was introduced by Ursula Johnston, community relations advisor for the Yellowhead Project, and much of the update was given by Korah De Walt-Gagnon, project manager. She said the initial project description was submitted last year in the summer, and they are working toward the detailed project description , which she said is the next step. The DPD is planned to be completed mid-year.
Johnston explained the DPD will inform the ‘readiness decision’ that the environmental assessment office makes. The community relations advisor also spoke about the Simpcw First Nation assessment process, saying they are now at step three, labelled “process planning and scoping. ” De Walt-Gagnon explained some upcoming work. There will be a site investigation program this year which is meant to collect data to support the design and permitting of the Yellowhead Project.
They anticipate starting this round of site investigations around mid-June, and work is expected to run for two to three months. A host of projects will be underway to understand and prepare the site. The mining company will also be working on reclamation of the historic exploration camp at the site, which will include removing underground infrastructure and removing access roads from the Jones Creek forest service road.
Summarizing the next steps, the presentation listed them as the 2026 site investigation program to begin mid-June, the DPD to be submitted mid-year, and Taseko providing a briefing of the DPD to the District of Clearwater after its submission.
“ was just to give you an update, let you know that we’re not hiding in a corner, but that we’re continuing,” De Walt-Gagnon said, adding a lot of work has happened and more work is upcoming in the summer. Following the presentation, mayor and councillors asked questions of the Taseko representatives. Mayor Merlin Blackwell brought up the province’s recent announcement that the Yellowhead Project was added to a priority project list.
“What does this actually mean? ” the mayor asked.
“The only interpretation that I can get out of it is that the file will be looked at instead of being put in the box on the desk. But other than that, it doesn’t seem to speed anything up. ”from November 2025, which listed the Yellowhead mine as a major project.
“So, nothing has changed in terms of process, or timelines for the Yellowhead Project,” she said. “We’re happy to know that the government sees us as an important project. But at this time it doesn’t materially change anything for us. ” Coun.
Lynne Frizzle noted the time frame for the mine fluctuates, and asked where it currently stands in the assessment process. De Walt-Gagnon said they have to move through process planning to understand what studies are going to be required. She said there is an application information requirement, and that until they get further into the process, they won’t have a definitive timeline.
“Once we get into application development, it’s further on in the process that you have a better idea on timeline,” De Walt-Gagnon said. “So at this point, it’s still multiple years out. ” Coun. Lyle Mackenzie also spoke about the timeline, noting that the “pulse of the people in the valley” is that it’s further along in the process than it really is.
“To see you guys put it into perspective, where you actually are for this early engagement, really is an eye opener for everyone that continues to ask, thinking I have the intel as to where they can send resumes to, knowing this is years out,” Mackenzie said. De Walt-Gagnon said they get a lot of questions about where they’re at in the process, and mentioned she didn’t know about the environmental assessment process before.
“We’re trying to develop content on this,” she said. “As much as B.C. EAO owns this process and it’s not ours to own, it’s theirs, we do find it’s one of the number one questions from the local communities. And so, trying to build re-assurance that there’s still a long way to go, there’s a lot of information we need to determine still.
And there’s lots of opportunity for feedback. ” She added there’s not a lot of jobs right now, but once there are, they will put that information out into local communities for recruitment. Johnston also noted that not all points in the process are the same length, and that for some parts of it, the timelines are still unknown, as they will depend on what comes up and what processes are required.
Yellowhead Copper Mine Project Taseko District Of Clearwater Council Site Investigation Program Detailed Project Description Initial Project Description Yellowhead Copper Mine
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Market Factors: Ten lessons from ‘How Not to Invest’Plus, the copper market is red hot
Read more »
Bear euthanized after visiting Alberta summer villageA 'habituated' black bear was killed by Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services last week after reports of it frequenting a populated area. The bear was euthanized May 6 after repeatedly being seen in the west-central Alberta summer village of Burnstick Lake, about 80 kilometres southwest of Red Deer in Clearwater County.
Read more »
U.S. Supreme Court sets stage for Alabama to eliminate one Black congressional district, likely paving way for GOP gainThe Supreme Court ruling significantly weakens a provision of the federal Voting Rights Act and could lead to a significant shift in the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Read more »
Toronto District School Board to Cut 218 Central Administration Staff, Eliminating 91 Vacant PositionsThe Toronto District School Board announces layoffs of 218 central administration staff members and the elimination of 91 vacant positions due to declining enrollment, but classroom staff will not be affected.
Read more »