B.C. eyes copper smelter to move up mining value chain

By Daisy Xiong – BIV

B.C. is exploring the possibility of building a copper smelter and refinery as critical minerals increasingly become a national security issue.

The federal and B.C. governments announced Wednesday they are launching a Request for Information (RFI) to assess the viability and potential locations for a copper processing facility in Western Canada.

The RFI, which runs until Jan. 28, 2026, will examine the feasibility and siting options for a facility that could include a smelter and a refinery.