BURSTA new copper-molybdenum-silver project located south of Houston has advanced to the pre-feasibility study stage.
Surge Copper’s Berg Copper Project is a proposed large-scale, standalone open pit mine and concentrator development supported by access to existing regional road infrastructure and planned connection to British Columbia’s low-carbon hydroelectric power grid.
Surge Copper said they are actively engaging with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs and Houses and other potentially impacted communities in the region, including the Witset First Nation, Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band, Skin Tyee First Nation, and Cheslatta Carrier Nation.
The company has now opened an office in Smithers on Main Street.
Chief Executive Officer Leif Nilsson said they chose the office location for a couple of reasons and Houston remains an important centre for project logistics and site support, and they are continuing to work with businesses and communities throughout the region. For example, he said they recently engaged Houston-based Tower Communications to supply two-way radios for their operations.
“As the Berg Copper Project has advanced, we’ve reached a stage where it makes sense to establish a permanent local office to support our growing activities in the region. We chose Smithers because it’s a major regional service centre, with convenient airport access, established suppliers, professional services, and other infrastructure that supports our operations,” he said.
“With the project now entering the environmental assessment process, we have a great deal of work ahead of us. We expect future opportunities for employment, contracting, and other economic benefits to extend across the region, including Houston, Burns Lake, Southbank, and surrounding communities. Our team regularly visits these communities, and we’ll continue that engagement, including upcoming public open houses in Houston on October 21 and Burns Lake on October 29.”
The project is a potential future production source of copper, molybdenum, silver and gold. Copper and molybdenum are both federally and provincially recognized as critical minerals. The Government of Canada and the Province of BC have identified the development of secure and resilient critical mineral supply chains as a strategic priority.
According to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, critical minerals such as copper and molybdenum are foundational inputs to modern economies, supporting electricity and energy systems, transportation, communications, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defence, and a wide range of other industrial applications.
An initial project description of the project said that increasing responsible Canadian production can strengthen domestic industrial capacity, reduce exposure to concentrated or disrupted global supply chains, and support Canada’s role as a reliable supplier of essential materials to domestic industries, trading partners, and allies.
The description went on to say that the Project aligns strongly with these national objectives as a potential supplier of copper, and molybdenum.
“When developed, the Project’s copper output would rank among one of the largest in Canada. As such, the project is well-positioned to become a cornerstone of Canada’s strategy to expand critical mineral production and strengthen domestic supply chains,” the description went on to state.
Nilsson added that the project has the potential to become a significant long-term economic driver for the Bulkley-Nechako region. He said that based on their pre-feasibility study, the project is expected to involve approximately three years of construction, followed by 28 years of mining operations and several additional years of closure activities, creating employment and business opportunities that span generations.
“Over the life of the mine, the project is expected to generate approximately $2.7 billion in employee wages, $10 billion in spending on services and contracts, and $8 billion in provincial and federal taxes that support public services,” he said.
“During operations, we anticipate approximately 550 direct jobs and an additional 1,650 indirect jobs. Our goal is to maximize local employment and we currently estimate that approximately half of the project’s workforce could come from local communities, including Houston, Smithers, Fraser Lake, Burns Lake and First Nations communities throughout the region.”
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Office have now invited people to comment on the project. The comment period runs from until November 9, 2026, closing at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
The two agencies will also be hosting information sessions for residents to learn about the project assessment.
There will be one in-person one on Oct. 22 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge.
There will also be a virtual session, which is scheduled for Oct. 26 from noon until 1:30 p.m.
Surge will also hold an open house in Houston on Oct. 21 at the Legion from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and one in Burns Lake at the Gathering Place on Oct. 29 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.