Red Chris Mine Expansion Moves Forward with Safety Lessons from Past Collapse

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Newmont Corp. is advancing the Red Chris mine expansion in British Columbia, applying safety lessons from a previous collapse. The project aims to enhance copper production and improve safety standards.

In northwestern British Columbia, the operator of the Red Chris gold and copper mine is taking significant steps towards expanding its underground operations, following safety lessons learned from a collapse incident that occurred last year. Newmont Corp., which holds a majority stake in the mine, reported that it is applying insights gained from a July 2025 accident that trapped three workers for over two days. The expansion project has been earmarked for fast-tracking by the federal government as a crucial initiative for national development.
John Mullally, Newmont’s head of external relations and social performance, addressed the media in Vancouver to discuss the company’s commitment to safety following the incident. The collapse happened in an area constructed by the mine's previous operator, prompting Newmont to assemble a team of third-party safety experts alongside its internal personnel to conduct a thorough investigation.
The investigation, which Newmont has made public, revealed that rock mass deterioration over four years had increased the loads on the ground support system, ultimately leading to bolt failures and the dislodging of loose material. Mullally emphasized that the findings have been shared with the broader industry to enhance safety practices throughout the province. "If we implement the findings, especially around ground support and ensuring that we implement Newmont’s industry-leading safety practices, we believe we can safely build and operate the Red Chris block cave expansion," he stated.
Recently, the expansion project received a significant regulatory approval from the British Columbia government, allowing for the transition from open-pit mining to a block-cave underground mining process. This switch is projected to increase Canada’s copper production by over 15%, significantly extending the mine's operational life by more than a decade. Moreover, this transition is expected to result in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by over 70%.
When operational, the expanded mine is anticipated to create approximately 1,500 jobs, with 1,800 positions available at the peak of construction. The two collapses that occurred last July, which trapped the three workers while they were engaged in exploratory drilling, underscore the urgency of ensuring safety in mining operations. The workers were ultimately rescued from a refuge station after an extended period of entrapment.
Newmont’s report also criticized the previous operator of the mine, highlighting that certain practices did not meet Newmont’s safety standards. The report calls for corrective actions to prevent future incidents and to ensure that all excavated areas comply with Newmont’s stringent safety criteria. This includes reassessing existing ground support and enhancing it based on new evaluations.
During the news conference, Premier David Eby announced that the provincial government is conducting its own review of the collapse incident. He emphasized the importance of applying any applicable lessons learned to improve safety protocols across all mines in the province. "We have a shared goal with steelworkers, mine workers, and industry in the province, including Newmont, to have the safest mining sector in the world," Eby remarked.
B.C. Mining Minister Jagrup Brar noted that the investigation into the collapse is ongoing, with findings set to be made public once all reports are compiled. He reiterated the province's commitment to maintaining the B.C. mining sector as the safest heavy industry sector in Canada. Brar added that if any safety-enhancing measures are identified during the investigation, those will be shared with all mining operations in the province promptly.

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