Project Status

Environmental Assessment

The Cariboo Gold Project is the first project entirely assessed under the new 2018 BC Environmental Assessment Act.

Every proposed project that undergoes an environmental assessment is thoroughly assessed on the specific individual aspects of that particular project, including its potential environmental, economic, social, cultural, and health effects, as well as its impacts on First Nations and their rights.

The Project was not identified as a reviewable project under the Federal Impact Assessment Act.

The Cariboo Gold Project assessment involved extensive consultation with technical experts, First Nations, provincial agencies. local governments, a community advisory committee, and the public (see Summary of Engagement).

Under the 2018 BC Environmental Assessment Act, First Nations participating in the process had the opportunity to provide consent or lack of consent for the Project. All three Nations in whose territory Project activities are expected to occur participated in the environmental assessment. Lhtako Dené Nation and Williams Lake First Nation provided notices of consent, and Xatśūll First Nation advised the Ministers that they did not object to the Project.

The Cariboo Gold Project received its Environmental Assessment Certificate from the Environmental Assessment Office of the Province of British Columbia on October 10, 2023 (see EAO Announcement).

Cariboo Gold Project Environmental Certificate M23-01.

Table showing the timeline of the Environmental Assessment Process for the Cariboo Gold Project

Permitting

The Cariboo Gold Project underwent a Joint Application for its Mines Act and Environmental Management Act permits. The permitting process was completed in 13 months, following a rigorous technical review conducted by a qualified team of technical experts in collaboration with First Nations. It is the first project entirely assessed under the new 2018 BC Environmental Assessment Act that has been granted its permits.

The Cariboo Gold Project was granted its BC Mines Act permits on November 20 (see announcement) and its BC Environmental Management Act permits on December 12, 2024.

Table showing the timeline of the Permitting Process for the Cariboo Gold Project

Work is on-going to obtain all necessary approvals for the construction of the transmission line.

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Project Phases  

  1. ‍Permitting ✔️
  2. ‍Pre-Construction Activities* ⇢ on-going
  3. ‍Construction
  4. ‍Operations
  5. Active Closure
  6. Post-Closure

* includes final investment decision

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‍Monitoring Locations

Sound Level Monitoring Equipment has been installed at the following locations:  

  • Blair Avenue  
  • Bowman Crescent  
  • Mooney Lane 
  • The ODV camp on Ski Hill Road, this installation includes a weather station as well
  • The Cow Portal
Sound Monitor Locations Map
Sound Monitors are indicated by the yellow markers on this map of Wells, BC.