British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Office has started a court-ordered review of Seabridge Gold's KSM Project. The process now includes a 90-day consultation with the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha and other Indigenous nations.
Seabridge Gold's KSM Project in northwest British Columbia is back in limbo. The province's Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) has started a new review of the project's Substantially Started Designation. This follows a Supreme Court order that told the EAO to reopen the process and consult more directly with the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha (TSKLH).
The main issue is the SSD, which Seabridge Gold first received on July 24, 2024. That approval let the company move ahead with the project. Now, after the court's June 8, 2026 decision, the SSD is up for reconsideration. The court ordered a 90-day consultation with TSKLH. This period ends on September 28, 2026. Only after that can the EAO make a final call.
New consultation and revised timeline
The EAO has set out a step-by-step process. Once the consultation ends, Seabridge Gold will get a chance to reply to TSKLH's input. The EAO will then write a report that covers the court's findings and any new details. This draft will go to Seabridge, TSKLH, and other Indigenous groups for review. Only after this round will the EAO make its recommendation to the final decision-maker, who will decide on the SSD again.
Seabridge Gold says it supports the EAO's focus on efficiency and transparency. Chair Rudi Fronk said a quick decision matters to the company. He stated that the EAO's plan "recognizes the importance of a timely decision for Seabridge Gold and will strive to complete the process as efficiently as possible, while fulfilling its duty to consult and ensuring that any decision is transparent, well-informed, and durable."
The KSM project is described by the BC government as one of the world's largest undeveloped gold-copper deposits, with a projected 52-year mine life and both provincial and federal environmental assessment approvals in place.
Support and pressure from Indigenous nations
TSKLH's input now drives the process, but Seabridge has pointed to recent letters backing the KSM project and a renewed SSD from the Nisga'a and Tahltan Nations. These letters, sent to the EAO, show that Indigenous views on the project are not all the same.
Seabridge Gold owns 100% of the KSM and Bronson Corridor projects in British Columbia's Golden Triangle, along with other North American assets. The company is now working through a regulatory process shaped by court action and Indigenous consultation. Seabridge has again thanked the EAO for what it calls a "measured and thoughtful response" and says it looks forward to a final outcome.
Impact on mining and environmental governance
This court-ordered review marks a clear change in how big resource projects are checked in British Columbia. The EAO's process is now under close watch. The province must show it can give developers clear rules while also giving Indigenous nations a real say. For Seabridge Gold, the result will decide the future of the KSM Project and could set the tone for other projects in the region. The mining industry is watching as the EAO works through this process. Now, transparency and careful procedure are not just expected-they are required for public trust.
Looking at European rules, Italian authorities like MIMIT have recently stressed the need for strong environmental oversight and digital transparency in mining. This matches the strict approach now seen in British Columbia. As mining projects add advanced monitoring, IoT sensors, and real-time data tools, meeting both environmental and regulatory standards is becoming the norm worldwide.
