Skeena Secures Landmark Permits, Fortifies Indigenous Partnerships in Eskay Creek Push

Event summary

  • Skeena received Environmental Assessment Certificate for Eskay Creek, embedding Tahltan Nation’s consent—a Canadian first via 2022 Section 7 agreement.
  • 21% of workforce Indigenous (vs. B.C. mining avg. of 5.4%), with 20% of $443M procurement spend directed to Indigenous businesses.
  • Secured low-cost power deal with BC Hydro, with site energization slated for late 2026.
  • First-stage water treatment plant construction completed, aligning with global best practices.

The big picture

Skeena’s 2025 report underscores the strategic shift toward Indigenous-led permitting—a potential industry blueprint—while its procurement and workforce metrics outpace provincial averages. The Eskay Creek project’s progress on water management and power costs positions it as a potential benchmark for high-grade, low-cost precious metals mines, though execution risks loom as construction accelerates toward 2027 production.

What we're watching

Permitting Precedent
Whether Tahltan Nation’s embedded consent model becomes a template for other Canadian projects.
Indigenous Employment
The pace at which Skeena sustains 21% Indigenous workforce representation as Eskay Creek ramps up.
Cost Control
How BC Hydro’s low-cost power deal impacts Eskay Creek’s projected status as a low-cost producer.

Related topics

Mining