B.C. fast‑tracks Wicheeda, North Island and Berg projects 

The British Columbia government has named three mineral projects for early coordination with its Critical Minerals Office (CMO) as they prepare for environmental assessment and future permitting.

The CMO selected Northisle Copper and Gold’s North Island project, Surge Copper’s Berg project and Defense Metals’ Wicheeda rare earth project for dedicated support, the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals said in a Feb. 20, 2026 release. The office helps projects align permitting pathways, coordinate engagement with Indigenous Nations and communities, and identify regulatory requirements early.

“The Critical Minerals Office provides key services to help take promising projects and move them forward faster, ensuring that B.C. continues to rapidly grow the sector,” Minister Jagrup Brar said.

Defense Metals (TSXV: DEFN; US-OTCQB: DFMTF) is advancing Wicheeda, about 80 km northeast of Prince George, through technical studies and planning toward feasibility, permitting and potential production. Its NI 43‑101 pre‑feasibility study estimates 25.5 million tonnes of reserves at an average grade of 2.4% total rare earth oxides, a 15‑year mine life and an after‑tax NPV of about $1 billion with a projected IRR of 19%. The CMO will provide early coordination to support Wicheeda’s environmental‑assessment readiness, the company said.

“Selection for early coordination support through the Critical Minerals Office recognizes Wicheeda’s strengths and level of advancement,” Defense Metals CEO Mark Tory said, adding the province’s assistance will help align technical progress with a predictable regulatory pathway and collaborative work with First Nations rights‑holders.

Northisle (TSXV: NCX) is in the early stages of environmental assessment for its North Island project near Port Hardy. Last year the company released a preliminary economic assessment outlining a two‑phased operation built on three copper‑gold deposits with 6.3 billion pounds of copper‑equivalent in indicated resources. The PEA’s base case showed an after‑tax NPV of about C$2 billion (7% discount) and an IRR of 29%.

Surge Copper (TSXV: SURG) is advancing the Berg copper‑molybdenum project in the Tahtsa Ranges toward pre‑feasibility. Its 2023 PEA modeled a potential 30‑year operation averaging about 191 million pounds of copper‑equivalent annually, with an NPV in the neighborhood of C$2 billion (8% discount) and an IRR near 20%.

Market reaction followed the announcement: Northisle, Surge and Defense Metals each posted share gains on the news, reflecting investor interest in projects receiving provincial coordination.

The CMO launched in early 2024 as part of B.C.’s critical minerals strategy to accelerate projects by facilitating early engagement and reducing regulatory uncertainty. The office has also committed to work with FPX Nickel’s Baptiste nickel project near Fort St. James, which recently opened a public comment period.