Northern British Columbia is now home to a major new mining operation. On May 30, the Blackwater Mine, extracting gold and silver, officially opened its doors. Located about three hours from Vanderhoof, the project marks a significant development for the region, highlighted by strong collaboration with local First Nations, commitments to clean energy, and substantial economic projections.
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Key Takeaways:
- The Blackwater Mine is now officially open, focusing on gold and silver extraction.
- The project emphasizes deep partnerships and agreements with six local First Nations.
- Artemis Gold highlights the mine’s low carbon footprint due to BC Hydro connection.
- Significant economic contributions to BC and Canada are projected over the mine’s life.
- The mine currently employs over 400 people, with a focus on regional and Indigenous hiring.
Official Opening Ceremony
The formal opening event brought together key stakeholders at the mine site. Artemis Gold CEO Steven Dean, representatives from the area’s First Nations, and BC Premier David Eby were present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a pivotal moment after years of planning and construction. The event underscored the collaborative nature of the project’s development.
Officials and partners cut ribbon at Blackwater Mine opening ceremony in BC
Built on Strong Indigenous Partnerships
A cornerstone of the Blackwater Mine project has been the involvement and partnership with six First Nations in the region, including the Lhoosk’uz Dene First Nation. Speaking at the opening, Chief June Baptiste of Lhoosk’uz Dene First Nation emphasized the significance of the mine being located on their traditional lands.
Chief Baptiste highlighted the active engagement of First Nations throughout the development process, from exploration and environmental assessments to permitting. She stressed the importance of ensuring the project respects Indigenous culture, the environment, and the people. The focus has been on securing robust environmental safeguards and ensuring Indigenous voices remain integral to the mine’s lifecycle.
Chief June Baptiste speaks about First Nations partnership at Blackwater Mine opening
These agreements are seen not just through an economic lens, but also as vital steps toward reconciliation, environmental stewardship, and preserving Indigenous culture. Chief Baptiste underlined the expectation for meaningful and respectful government engagement, including seeking free, prior, and informed consent in a spirit of partnership.
Artemis Gold CEO Steven Dean acknowledged the challenging but successful path forged in working with First Nations, calling it a “good precedent for responsible and sustainable development of natural resources.” He noted that approximately 25% of the mine’s current staff are from surrounding First Nations. The company reiterated its commitment to ongoing collaboration and improvement in its relationship with Indigenous Nations in the province.
Further highlighting the deep cultural connection, Ulkatcho councillor Corinne Cahoose shared a traditional story relating Anahim Peak and Mount Davidson, where the mine is located, and presented obsidian gifts, symbolizing the sacredness of the land and the need for spiritual permission for the work undertaken.
Commitment to Responsible Mining and the Environment
Artemis Gold aimed to build the Blackwater Mine with a modern perspective, prioritizing social and environmental standards. A key initiative is the mine’s connection to clean, renewable hydroelectricity from BC Hydro via a new 135 km transmission line. This strategic choice contributes to one of the lowest carbon footprints globally for a mine of its type.
The company’s environmental goals include striving for zero-emission ore and waste haulage options by 2030 and operating a fully-electrified processing facility. Premier David Eby commended the project’s environmental commitments, specifically noting that no untreated water is leaving the mine site. This focus aligns with broader provincial goals for responsible resource extraction.
Significant Economic Impact and Job Creation
The Blackwater Mine is poised to be a major economic contributor to British Columbia and Canada. An economic study from 2020 projected the mine would contribute $13.2 billion to the provincial economy over its lifespan, including $2.3 billion in provincial revenues and $1.5 billion in federal tax revenues. Artemis Gold CEO Steven Dean stated that with current metal prices significantly higher than those used in the 2020 study, these economic benefits are likely to be “well exceeded.”
Since 2022, Artemis has invested $1 billion with Canadian contractors and service providers, a large portion going to companies based in British Columbia and those owned by First Nations.
The mine currently employs over 400 people, with 40% from the surrounding region and 80% from British Columbia. The high percentage of Indigenous employees working on ancestral lands allows them to stay connected to their culture and family. Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals, Jagrup Brar, highlighted that the mining sector supports 40,000 well-paying jobs in BC and is crucial for the green economy and advancing reconciliation.
BC Premier David Eby speaks before large gold and silver bars at Blackwater Mine site
Premier Eby called the project an example of how BC can be an economic engine for Canada, leveraging its geographical position and natural resources, particularly clean energy. He acknowledged the challenges overcome during construction, including difficult wildfire seasons.
For further reading on project milestones, see previous coverage like [/business/blackwater-mine-plans-to-enter-commercial-production-in-2025-7974512] and [/home/artemis-gold-announces-first-pour-at-blackwater-mine-7792884].
Operations, Safety, and Outlook
The Blackwater Mine extracts both gold and silver, metals critical for decorative use, technology, and as a store of value in global markets. The mine had its first gold pour in January 2024 and is expected to enter commercial production shortly.
Projections for 2025 estimate gold extraction between 190,000 and 230,000 ounces. Artemis Gold, a Vancouver-based company with significant BC shareholders, oversees the project.
Safety has been a major focus during construction, which involved approximately 5.5 million hours worked with zero major safety incidents reported. This is particularly notable given the inherent risks in construction activities.
Large haul truck at Blackwater Mine site demonstrates scale of operations
The successful opening of the Blackwater Mine positions it as a key player in BC’s resource sector, aiming to demonstrate that large-scale mining can be conducted responsibly, with significant economic returns, strong community partnerships, and a focus on environmental stewardship. The project will be watched closely as it ramps up production and delivers on its commitments.
