Major Expansion at Highland Valley Copper
A Multi-Billion-Dollar Investment to Support Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy. Teck Resources Limited (TSX: TECK.A/TECK.B; NYSE: TECK) has formally approved and advanced construction of the Highland Valley Copper (HVC) Mine Life Extension (MLE) project in British Columbia, marking one of the most significant mining investments in Canadian history.
The decision, sanctioned by the company’s board in mid-2025, extends the life of Canada’s largest copper mine from its previously scheduled closure in 2028 to 2046, underlining the strategic importance of copper in the global energy transition
Located near Logan Lake, British Columbia, Highland Valley Copper has been an operational mainstay for Teck for decades. The MLE initiative is a brownfield expansion that will require substantial upgrades to existing infrastructure, enhanced processing facilities, and expanded open-pit operations. Total capital expenditures for the project are now estimated between C$2.1 billion and C$2.4 billion, with most spending scheduled between late 2025 and 2028.
Infrastructure and Contractor Engagement at Scale
The Highland Valley Copper MLE project is not solely about extending mine life: it is a comprehensive upgrade that will trigger significant infrastructure activity. As planned, the scope includes:
- Pushback of the main Valley pit to access higher-grade ore, increasing waste stripping and requiring heavy earthmoving works.
- Grinding, flotation and conveying system enhancements to sustain higher throughput rates over the extended mine life.
- Modifications and additions to general plant area facilities, including electrical, water, and utility infrastructure.
- Expanded tailings storage capacity and other environmental management systems to support higher material handling volumes.
These elements, combined with the requirement for upgraded external services and utilities, signal long-term demand for a range of construction and engineering contractors, including civil works firms, EPCM specialists, utilities and power systems integrators and earthmoving equipment providers.
One notable contract, awarded already, highlights this trajectory. Fluor Corporation has been appointed to provide engineering, procurement and integrated construction management services for the HVC MLE project. The contract covers complex brownfield operations — a testimony to the scale and technical challenge of extending an operating mine’s life while maintaining production continuity.
Economic and Regional Impacts
Highland Valley Copper supports approximately 1,500 direct jobs in its current operations and contributes significantly to regional GDP. The MLE project is expected to generate roughly 2,900 construction jobs during peak build-out, a substantial workforce boost for local contractors and suppliers in British Columbia’s interior.
Provincial authorities have actively supported the project by issuing an Environmental Assessment Certificate and necessary permits, streamlining regulatory processes to ensure timely execution. British Columbia’s government described the MLE as a priority initiative that will contribute to export diversification, job creation and economic resilience.
Strategic Importance in Global Markets
Copper is widely deemed a critical mineral for electrification, renewable energy infrastructure and decarbonisation technologies. The MLE project aligns with Teck’s broader copper growth strategy, aimed at doubling copper production by the end of the decade to meet surging global demand.
By extending output at Highland Valley Copper for nearly two more decades, Teck not only reinforces its position in the global copper market but also underscores Canada’s role as a dependable supplier of minerals essential to energy transition economies.
