Silica sand mine north of Prince George issued an environmental assessment certificate

Angus silica sand mine will soon proceed to the permitting stage

The province has issued an environmental assessment certificate to Vitreo Minerals Ltd. for its Angus silica sand mine, located 60 kilometres north of Prince George near Bear Lake. The Angus project is a proposed open-pit silica sand mine that would provide a local supply of silica sand and reduce imports from the United States. The project will include a mine, a raw sand plant, a finishing plant, water management infrastructure, and external stockpiles of waste rock and raw sand.

Current estimates suggest the mine will produce two million tonnes of silica sand annually over its 20-year lifespan. Silica sand is used in crude oil and natural gas extraction, water filtration, industrial abrasives and other applications. The mine was proposed to the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George in October 2025.

Following the issuance of the environmental assessment certificate, Vitreo Minerals must apply to the regional district for an amendment to the area's Official Community Plan. Environment and Parks minister Tamara Davidson and Mining and Critical Minerals minister Jagrup Brar made the decision after considering an assessment report and recommendations from the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO), along with input from First Nations, technical experts, local communities and the public. The EAO concluded the proposed mine would not cause significant adverse effects if mitigation measures and the proposed conditions are implemented.

The assessment found the mine would provide economic benefits through jobs, business activity and government revenue, while supplying a resource that is often imported from the United States. First Nations participating in the assessment included Lheidli T'enneh First Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Tsay Keh Dene Nation and West Moberly First Nations. The Angus project is expected to create 150 construction jobs and nearly 140 operational jobs, support local and First Nations employment and training, and generate $300 million in investment.

The environmental assessment certificate contains 19 legally binding conditions, including requirements for air quality control and monitoring, wildlife and vegetation protection, greenhouse gas reduction measures, health and emergency planning, a process for community feedback, ongoing monitoring of impacts on First Nations, and local hiring and training opportunities. The Angus project entered the environmental assessment process in July 2023, with the assessment completed in less than three years. Under the environmental assessment certificate, the mine project must begin by 2036.