Province issues environmental assessment certificate for silica sand mine, northeast of Prince George
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PRINCE GEORGE — The Province of British Columbia has granted an environmental assessment certificate to Vitreo Minerals Ltd. for its proposed Angus silica sand mine near Bear Lake, about 60 kilometres north of Prince George, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for the project.
The decision was made by Environment and Parks Minister Tamara Davidson and Mining and Critical Minerals Minister Jagrup Brar following a review of the Environmental Assessment Office’s (EAO) assessment report and recommendations. The ministers also considered feedback from First Nations, technical experts, local governments, communities and members of the public before issuing the certificate, which is required before the project can proceed.
According to the EAO, the proposed open-pit mine is not expected to cause significant adverse environmental effects provided mitigation measures and certificate conditions are implemented. The assessment found the project would generate economic benefits through job creation, business opportunities and government revenues, while also providing a domestic source of silica sand that is currently imported from the United States.
Vitreo Minerals’ Angus project is expected to operate for approximately 20 years and produce up to two million tonnes of silica sand annually. Silica sand, also known as proppant, is used in crude oil and natural gas extraction operations.
