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PORT HARDY, B.C. — The Province of B.C. has identified Northisle Copper and Gold Inc.’s North Island Project, Surge Copper Corp.’s Berg Project and Defense Metals Corp.’s Wicheeda Project to work with the Critical Minerals Office for early co-ordination as the projects prepare for environmental assessment (EA) and future permitting processes.

The office works with selected project proponents to accelerate their permitting processes by helping co-ordinate First Nations and community engagement, identify regulatory requirements early, align permitting pathways and support readiness for future EA and regulatory steps, a release reads.

Northisle Copper and Gold has completed a preliminary economic assessment and continues technical and planning work as it prepares for the EA process.

Surge Copper is advancing the Berg copper-molybdenum project and continues technical and baseline work to support the release of its pre-feasibility study and entry into the EA process.

Defense Metals Corp. has completed a pre-feasibility study. It is undertaking the environmental baseline, confirmatory metallurgical studies and engineering planning work required to advance the Wicheeda Project through feasibility-level studies and into EA and permitting processes.

Projects are selected for the Critical Minerals Office based on established criteria, including working relationships with local First Nations, geological potential, project readiness, commodity type and other factors, the release adds.

Northisle, Surge Copper and Defense Metals join FPX Nickel Corp. in receiving dedicated support services from the office.