Taseko Mines Commences Environmental Assessment Process for Yellowhead Copper Project

Rhea-AI Summary

Taseko Mines (NYSE: TGB) has initiated the Environmental Assessment (EA) process for its Yellowhead Copper Project in British Columbia, following the acceptance of its Initial Project Description (IPD) by regulatory authorities. The project, located 150 kilometers north of Kamloops, BC, is situated in Simpcw First Nation territory.

The company has established significant partnerships, including a Relationship Negotiation Agreement with Simpcw First Nation, which will define the indigenous community's role in project oversight and establish an economic partnership. Taseko has launched a dedicated website (yellowheadproject.com) to facilitate stakeholder engagement and transparency throughout the EA process.

Positive

• Formal commencement of Environmental Assessment process indicates project advancement
• Strong indigenous engagement through Relationship Negotiation Agreement with Simpcw First Nation
• 100% ownership of the Yellowhead Copper Project
• Established positive relationships with multiple Secwépemc groups

Negative

• Project still requires extensive regulatory approvals and environmental assessments
• Subject to potential delays due to stakeholder consultation and regulatory processes
• Environmental and social impact assessments could impact project timeline

Insights

Mining Industry Analyst

Taseko's Yellowhead project enters formal environmental assessment phase, establishing key Indigenous partnerships to advance this significant copper development.

Taseko Mines has reached a significant regulatory milestone with its Yellowhead Copper Project, as both provincial and federal environmental agencies have accepted the Initial Project Description (IPD), formally commencing the Environmental Assessment (EA) process. This development represents substantial progress for this 100% owned asset located approximately 150 kilometers north of Kamloops, British Columbia.

The company has demonstrated notable strategic foresight in their approach to stakeholder engagement. Since acquiring the property in 2019, Taseko has established what appears to be a productive relationship with the Simpcw First Nation, in whose territory the project is located. The company has secured a Relationship Negotiation Agreement with Simpcw leadership, which outlines a path toward a broader Relationship Agreement that will define the Indigenous community's role in project oversight and establish an economic partnership.

What's particularly noteworthy is the project's inclusion in the Simpcw Process - an Indigenous-led assessment approach that signals a potentially more collaborative development model than what has historically characterized mining projects in Canada. This approach aligns with evolving regulatory expectations regarding Indigenous consultation and participation in resource development.

The establishment of a dedicated project website (yellowheadproject.com) demonstrates the company's commitment to transparent stakeholder communication, which is increasingly essential for successful project permitting in the mining sector.

For investors monitoring Taseko's growth pipeline, this permitting progress is meaningful but represents just one early step in what will likely be a multi-year regulatory process. The Yellowhead Project represents a significant potential copper development in a tier-one jurisdiction at a time when copper supply constraints are forecasted, but considerable technical, social, and regulatory hurdles remain before construction decisions can be contemplated.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Taseko Mines Limited (TSX: TKO; NYSE American: TGB; LSE: TKO) (“Taseko” or the "Company") today announced that the Initial Project Description (“IPD”) for its 100% owned Yellowhead Copper Project (“Yellowhead Project” or the “Project”) has been filed and accepted by the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (“EAO”) and Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (“IAAC”). The acceptance formally commences the Environmental Assessment (“EA”) process, which is designed to be comprehensive, inclusive, and transparent, ensuring that the Yellowhead Project meets the robust regulatory requirements while balancing environmental, social, and economic values.

Taseko has engaged with both the EAO and IAAC in preparation for the submission of the IPD and is committed to a high degree of public involvement and Indigenous engagement throughout the EA and permitting processes.

The Yellowhead Project is located approximately 150 kilometers north of Kamloops, BC in the territory of Simpcw First Nation (Simpcwúl'ecw), part of the Secwépemc Nation. Since acquiring the property in 2019, Taseko has worked closely with Simpcw leadership to build a mutually beneficial relationship based on trust and respect, to better understand community priorities and interests, and to inform the Yellowhead Project IPD. The Project will be subject to the Simpcw Process, an Indigenous-led assessment and decision-making process currently in its initial phases. Taseko and Simpcw have also signed a Relationship Negotiation Agreement, setting out an approach for the development of a Relationship Agreement that will define Simpcw’s role in project oversight and planning and establish an economic partnership between the parties. In addition to Simpcw, Taseko has established positive working relationships with several proximal Secwépemc groups.

Stuart McDonald, President & CEO commented, “The submission of the Initial Project Description represents a significant milestone for the Yellowhead Project permitting process. We have already begun to engage stakeholders and will ensure that the development of Yellowhead is in line with environmental and social expectations. Recently, Taseko has hosted a number of well attended community meetings and we look forward to continued involvement with project stakeholders and government regulators through the environmental permitting process.”

Taseko has launched a dedicated project website, yellowheadproject.com, to keep stakeholders informed about project details and status, share opportunities for feedback, and encourage participation in the EA process.

For further information on Taseko, see the Company’s website at tasekomines.com or contact:

• Investor enquiries Brian Bergot, Vice President, Investor Relations – 778-373-4554
• Media enquiries Sean Magee, Vice President, Corporate Affairs – 778-373-4543

Stuart McDonald
President and CEO

No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the information contained in this news release

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This document contains “forward-looking statements” that were based on Taseko’s expectations, estimates and projections as of the dates as of which those statements were made. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “outlook”, “anticipate”, “project”, “target”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “should” and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These included but are not limited to:

• uncertainties about the future market price of copper and the other metals that we produce or may seek to produce;
• changes in general economic conditions, the financial markets, inflation and interest rates and in the demand and market price for our input costs, such as diesel fuel, reagents, steel, concrete, electricity and other forms of energy, mining equipment, and fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly with respect to the value of the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar, and the continued availability of capital and financing;
• uncertainties about economic conditions generally including inflation levels, tariffs, and in particular with respect to the demand for copper and other metals we produce;
• uncertainties related to the accuracy of our estimates of Mineral Resources, production rates and timing of production, future production and future cash and total costs of production and milling;
• our ability to comply with the extensive governmental regulation to which our business is subject;
• uncertainties related to our ability to obtain necessary title, licenses and permits for our development projects and project delays due to third party opposition;
• uncertainties related to First Nations claims and consultation issues;
  
• uncertainties related to unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings;
• changes in, and the effects of, the laws, regulations and government policies affecting our exploration and development activities and mining operations and mine closure and bonding requirements;
• environmental issues and liabilities associated with mining;
• environmental hazards and risks associated with climate change, including the potential for damage to infrastructure and stoppages of operations due to forest fires, flooding, drought, or other natural events in the vicinity of our operations;
• litigation risks and the inherent uncertainty of litigation;
• our actual costs of reclamation and mine closure may exceed our current estimates of these liabilities;
• our ability to meet the financial reclamation security requirements;
• the capital intensive nature of our business both to sustain current mining operations and to develop any new projects,;
• our reliance upon key management and operating personnel;
• the competitive environment in which we operate;
• the risk of changes in accounting policies and methods we use to report our financial condition, including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates; and Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”), quarterly reports and material change reports filed with and furnished to securities regulators, and those risks which are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors”.

For further information on Taseko, investors should review the Company’s annual Form 40-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission www.sec.gov and home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com, including the “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Information Form.

FAQ

What is the current status of Taseko Mines' (TGB) Yellowhead Copper Project?

Taseko has initiated the Environmental Assessment process after its Initial Project Description was accepted by the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office and Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.

Where is the Yellowhead Copper Project located?

The project is located 150 kilometers north of Kamloops, British Columbia, within the territory of Simpcw First Nation (Simpcwúl'ecw).

What agreements has Taseko made with indigenous communities for the Yellowhead Project?

Taseko has signed a Relationship Negotiation Agreement with Simpcw First Nation to establish their role in project oversight and create an economic partnership.

How can stakeholders stay informed about the Yellowhead Copper Project?

Taseko has launched a dedicated website at yellowheadproject.com where stakeholders can access project details, provide feedback, and participate in the Environmental Assessment process.

When did Taseko acquire the Yellowhead Copper Project?

Taseko acquired the Yellowhead property in 2019 and has since worked closely with Simpcw leadership to build a mutually beneficial relationship.