Mining in the Transboundary Region 

Shared Oversight

Protecting our Shared Watersheds

Under the BC-Alaska Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Statement of Cooperation, BC and Alaska have a formal agreement to protect the rivers, fisheries, and watersheds they share. A joint Technical Working Group monitors water quality in the Alsek, Taku, Stikine, and Unuk river systems, downstream of the BC-Alaska border.

What do the results say?

• Monitoring data collected by both Alaska and BC indicate that shared transboundary watersheds are healthy and continue to meet established water quality standards in BC and Alaska.
• These findings have been publicly confirmed in the media by Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation, and in testimony by the Department of Fish and Game before the Alaska House State Affairs Committee. 

Protecting our shared watersheds is not simply a regulatory requirement—it is fundamental to how mining projects are planned, reviewed and operated in BC.

For more information, visit:

• BC Alaska Transboundary Waters
• Memorandum of Understanding Between Alaska and BC
• Statement of Cooperation on the Protection of Transboundary Waters
• Statement of Cooperation on the Reciprocal Procedures

Bilateral Working Group

Alaska-British Columbia Bilateral Working Group

The Alaska-British Columbia Bilateral Working Group, a joint oversight body established to manage shared transboundary watersheds and environmental protection along the Alaska-British Columbia border. Senior officials from both jurisdictions meet formally twice a year to discuss key environmental topics and are supported by staff who meet monthly to make progress on joint actions. 

Visit the Government of British Columbia and State of Alaska websites to learn more about the Bilateral Working Group, including meeting summaries, newsletters and information on transboundary water protection:

• British Columbia 
• Alaska

Stakeholder Engagement

Working with Alaskans

BC’s Environmental Assessment Office leads consultation with Alaskan tribes and U.S. agencies when a new mining project is proposed in the transboundary region. That input shapes how projects are designed before permits are issued. Mine proponents are also committed to proactively engaging with Alaskan tribes and U.S. Federal and State agencies to understand and address their concerns. With Seabridge Gold’s KSM project, direct engagement with Alaskan stakeholders led to substantive changes in the project’s water management approach.

For more information, visit:

• BC’s Environmental Assessment Process

Regulatory Framework

Responsible Mining Regulations in BC

BC mines operate under regulations that have been strengthened and modernized over the past decade — including a new Mines Act, revised reclamation and safety codes, a new Mines Investigations Unit, and updated water quality guidelines. BC’s standards now rank among the most rigorous in the world for environmental assessment, permitting, operations, reclamation, and post-closure monitoring.

Financial Responsibility

Mine Closure and Reclamation

BC requires mining companies to post bonds large enough to cover full site reclamation. According to the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Mines 2024/2025, the province has secured $7.2 billion or fully 98% of total estimated liabilities, with the remaining gap (approximately $200 million) expected to be closed in the next two years. This financial security helps ensure mine closure costs are covered without burdening taxpayers. Proactive reclamation — restoring land while mining is still underway — is also encouraged under current policy.

An example of proactive environmental stewardship is the multi-year reclamation of the historic Johnny Mountain Mine, a former transboundary abandoned site part of the Bronson Corridor Project, Seabridge Gold is undertaking in partnership with the Tahltan Nation.

For more information, visit:

• Major Mines Reclamation Security Policy (Interim)

Safety Standards

Stronger Regulations for Tailings Storage Facilities

Following the 2014 Mount Polley incident, BC introduced significant regulatory reforms for tailings storage facilities , including requirements for Engineers of Record, Independent Tailings Review Boards, and design standards based on best available technology.

In 2021, BC’s independent Chief Mines Auditor conducted a comprehensive audit examining Tailings Storage Facility regulations in BC and found the framework incorporates global best practices and is among the most stringent in the world.

For more information, visit:

• Chief Inspector of Mines’ Investigation Report on Mount Polley
• Mines chief auditor releases first audit
• Health, Safety and Reclamation Code Review Committee

First Nations Partnerships

Working with First Nations Communities

Mining in the transboundary region and throughout BC involves active and ongoing partnership with First Nations. BC was the first province in Canada to implement the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), and the Tahltan Central Government has since entered into consent-based decision-making agreements governing environmental assessments in Tahltan territory.

BC’s mining sector has  been instrumental in driving economic reconciliation with First Nation  partners and communities, as demonstrated  by the numerous Impact and Benefit Agreements (IBAs), partnerships, and  business arrangements across the sector.  The Treaty Creek Limited Partnership at the KSM Project is one example of this approach

For more information, visit:

• Supporting Indigenous Reconciliation page