Adding three mining projects to Critical Minerals Office

Press Release

Feb. 20, 2026

PORT HARDY –

Summary

• Northisle Copper and Gold Inc., Surge Copper Corp. and Defense Metals Corp. projects will receive B.C. Critical Minerals Office support as advanced projects
• Early co-ordination helps projects prepare for environmental assessment and permitting
• It also helps the projects maintain strong environmental standards and consultation requirements

The Province has identified Northisle Copper and Gold Inc.’s North Island Project, Surge Copper Corp.’s Berg Project and Defense Metals Corp.’s Wicheeda Project to work with the Critical Minerals Office to support early co-ordination as the projects prepares for environmental assessment and future permitting processes.

The Critical Minerals Office works with selected advanced project proponents to accelerate their permitting processes by helping co-ordinate First Nations and community engagement, identify regulatory requirements early, align permitting pathways and support readiness for future environmental-assessment and regulatory processes. This co-ordination supports projects in advancing through to operating mines through efficient processes and early preparedness without changing permitting standards or regulatory decisions.

“The Critical Minerals Office provides key services to help take promising projects and move them forward faster, ensuring that B.C. continues to rapidly grow the sector,” said Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals. “By supporting early co-ordination for projects like North Island, Berg and Wicheeda, we are helping ensure communities, First Nations and project proponents have clearer information and stronger alignment as projects move into environmental assessment and permitting.”

Supporting project readiness

Northisle Copper and Gold has completed a preliminary economic assessment and continues technical and planning work as it prepares for the environmental-assessment process. Early co-ordination through the Critical Minerals Office helps identify requirements and timelines sooner, supporting efficient entry into permitting processes.

Surge Copper is advancing the Berg copper-molybdenum project and continues technical and baseline work to support the imminent release of its pre-feasibility study and entry into the environmental-assessment process.

Defense Metals Corp. has completed a pre-feasibility study. It is undertaking the environmental baseline, confirmatory metallurgical studies and engineering planning work required to advance the Wicheeda Project through feasibility-level studies and into environmental-assessment and permitting processes. Dedicated project-specific support secures advanced alignment on a transparent and efficient regulatory pathway for all parties involved.

Projects are selected for the Critical Minerals Office based on established criteria, including working relationships with local First Nations, geological potential, project readiness, commodity type and other factors.

Working with communities and partners

• Brar met with the mayor and council of Port Hardy and Chief James Nelson of the Quatsino Nation, who expressed support for the project proceeding into regulatory processes.
• Northisle, Surge Copper and Defense Metals join FPX Nickel Corp. in receiving dedicated support services from the Critical Minerals Office.

Quick Facts:

• B.C.’s mining sector supports more than 40,000 good-paying, family-supporting jobs.
• B.C. contributes around 50% of Canada’s copper production and is Canada’s only producer of molybdenum.
• B.C. produces or has good potential to produce at least 22 of the 34 critical minerals on Canada’s critical-minerals list as of January 2026.
• By 2040, new and expanded critical-minerals projects in B.C. could represent an opportunity of as much as $44 billion.

Learn More:

• Find more information about Northisle Copper and Gold Inc.’s North Island Project: https://www.northisle.ca/
• Find more information about Surge Copper Corp.’s Berg Project: https://surgecopper.com/
• Find more information about Defense Metals Corp.’s Wicheeda Project: https://www.defensemetals.com/
• Learn more about B.C. mining projects: https://mines.nrs.gov.bc.ca/

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:
Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals
Media Relations
250-514-0510

BACKGROUNDER

What people are saying about the addition of the three projects

Sam Lee, president and CEO, Northisle Copper and Gold –

“We welcome inclusion in the Critical Minerals Office and recognize this as an important catalyst for accelerating our North Island Project. Co-ordination with this office further supports our approach to building consensus through meaningful and efficient First Nations and stakeholder engagement. Through government support and improved co-ordination, we can unlock access to national and global partnerships, including funding tools that support Indigenous partnerships, local employment and enabling infrastructure.”

Mark Tory, CEO, Defense Metals Corp. –

“Selection for early co-ordination support through the Critical Minerals Office is a significant milestone that recognizes Wicheeda’s role as a cornerstone of British Columbia’s critical-minerals future. We are grateful for the Province’s partnership as we move beyond the preliminary stage and intensify our feasibility-level engineering and environmental workstreams. By working in collaboration with First Nations rights holders and the Critical Minerals Office, we are ensuring that Wicheeda advances as a world-class project that delivers long-term sustainable value for the entire region.”

Leif Nilsson, CEO, Surge Copper Corp. –

“We are grateful for the Province’s support through the Critical Minerals Office. Inclusion in this program reflects the significance of the Berg Project as one of British Columbia’s largest undeveloped copper-molybdenum-silver deposits and underscores its alignment with the Province’s critical-minerals strategy. We look forward to working collaboratively with the Critical Minerals Office, First Nations partners and provincial regulators, as we advance Berg in a responsible and transparent manner.”

Martin Turenne, president and CEO, FPX Nickel Corp. –

“The Critical Minerals Office has been instrumental in helping us advance the Baptiste Nickel Project. At a tactical level, it has broken down silos between ministries and provided FPX Nickel with a single point of contact for the provincial government. The creation of this office has signalled to investors that B.C. is committed to the industry and remains one of the most competitive jurisdictions for mine-project development globally.”

Pat Corbett-Labatt, mayor of Port Hardy –

“On behalf of the District of Port Hardy, a resource-dependent community, we welcome the support of the Critical Minerals Office in helping ensure Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. can move forward with early co-ordination as the project advances toward environmental assessment and timely permitting. Northisle’s decision to engage early with the Quatsino First Nation and the District of Port Hardy demonstrates a strong commitment to respectful partnership and meaningful community consultation. We appreciate this proactive approach and look forward to continued collaboration as the project progresses.”

Chief James Nelson, Quatsino First Nation –

“We appreciate the Province taking these projects seriously and ensuring there is a clear and fulsome process in place. Having a dedicated point of contact to support ongoing dialogue is important for our community as the North Island Project advances. We believe it is essential to balance responsible economic development with protection of the local environment, and we look forward to continued engagement and discussions and welcome continued improvements in the administrative processes.”

Contact:
Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals
Media Relations
250-514-0510

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