Fluor Advances Highland Valley Copper Mine Extension in British Columbia
Teck Resources Limited has appointed Fluor Corporation to deliver a major life extension project at the Highland Valley Copper Mine in British Columbia. Known as the Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension project, or HVC MLE, this significant undertaking will extend mine operations from 2028 to 2046. The initiative reflects increasing global demand for copper, a vital mineral supporting clean energy technologies, electrification, and low-carbon infrastructure.
The HVC MLE project has been recognised as a strategic investment not only for Teck Resources but also for Canada’s broader critical minerals sector. While the contractual value remains undisclosed, Fluor confirmed revenue recognition during the third quarter, reinforcing the scale and importance of the project for its international mining portfolio.
Extending the mine’s life creates long-term certainty for operations, employment, regional procurement, and resource production. Analysts have already linked the extension with steady growth in copper supply, supporting the increasing need for copper in power grids, electric vehicles, renewable energy assets, and digital infrastructure.
A Proven Partnership for Complex Extensions
Fluor has a long history of involvement at the Highland Valley Copper site, delivering previous engineering and construction assignments over several decades. Its latest scope includes engineering, procurement, and integrated construction management, helping ensure seamless continuity within a complex brownfield environment.
Harish Jammula, President of Fluor’s Mining and Metals business, emphasised the company’s experience and regional commitment: “Fluor has worked on several projects at Highland Valley Copper and is looking forward to expanding its footprint in British Columbia, a key mining region with a long history of copper extraction. HVC MLE will strengthen Canada’s critical minerals sector and help meet strong global demand for copper. Fluor’s unmatched experience in large scale copper concentrators, and our expertise in managing complex extensions, will be key to delivering this project.”
The brownfield nature of the project brings intricate challenges, including operational continuity, safety, environmental compliance, and coordinated process improvements without interrupting existing production. Fluor’s integrated approach to project phasing, systems upgrades, and local supply chain engagement is expected to reduce risk and optimise delivery.
Infrastructure and Plant Enhancements
Extending mine life by 18 years requires significant upgrades to core systems across the mine and concentrator plant. The scope includes:
- Expansion and optimisation of conveying systems
- Modernisation of grinding and flotation facilities
- Modifications to plant-wide services and support buildings
- Enhancements to electrical reticulation and energy systems
- Upgrades to off-site infrastructure, utilities, and community-linked services
These improvements are designed to increase processing efficiency, enhance recovery performance, and future-proof on-site systems as regional demand for mineral output accelerates. Mine expansion projects of this scale typically integrate digital control systems, automation, real-time monitoring, and advanced metallurgy, supporting more sustainable and energy-efficient operations.
Research published by the International Energy Agency highlights that global copper demand for clean energy systems is expected to double by 2040, largely driven by electric mobility, power distribution, renewable generation, and industrial electrification. The HVC MLE extension aligns with this market trajectory and reinforces the significance of additional processing capacity and long-term mineral availability.
Strategic Importance to Teck Resources
As Canada’s largest copper mine, Highland Valley Copper represents a flagship asset within Teck’s operating portfolio. Extending its productive life preserves a stable supply of copper while strengthening Canada’s role in the global energy transition.
Jonathan Price, President and CEO of Teck Resources Limited, highlighted the strategic role of the project: “This extension of Canada’s largest copper mine, Highland Valley Copper, is foundational to our copper growth strategy. Given the strong demand for copper as an energy transition metal, the HVC MLE project will generate a robust internal rate of return and secure access to this critical mineral for the next two decades. The project will strengthen Canada’s critical minerals sector, generate new economic activity, and support the continuation of jobs and community benefits for many more years to come.”
Teck has placed major emphasis on aligning copper output with long-term market trends in electrification and renewables. Several global analysts also expect copper prices to remain resilient due to increasing infrastructure spending, grid modernisation, and sustained demand from manufacturing and industrial applications.
Job Creation and Local Supply Chain Benefits
A major advantage of the HVC MLE project is its economic and social impact across British Columbia. Construction is expected to begin immediately and generate approximately 2,900 regional jobs. The scale of activity will support skilled trades, engineering, procurement, logistics, fabrication, and multiple service sectors across the province.
Capital projects of this nature typically create secondary benefits including regional contracting, Indigenous business participation, transportation services, equipment supply, and community investment. For many remote mining regions, brownfield extensions can be more sustainable and efficient than greenfield development due to existing roads, power, tailings facilities, and environmental permitting.
According to Mining Association of Canada data, every dollar invested in mining generates more than five dollars in economic activity through upstream and downstream impacts. Copper mines also contribute tax revenue, research investment, community infrastructure, and workforce development.
Global Copper Supply Trends
Worldwide, copper production has struggled to keep pace with rapid demand growth. Grades at major deposits have declined, while new mine permitting can take more than a decade due to regulatory complexity, environmental assessment, and financing commitments. Brownfield life extension projects present a practical solution, accelerating output without long development timelines.
Industry studies indicate that more than 70 percent of global copper production now originates from brownfield operations and pit extensions. These projects usually deliver faster production benefits, lower capital intensity, reduced environmental impact, and more predictable operational outcomes.
Highland Valley Copper therefore plays a central role within North American copper supply security. The mine’s extended operational life improves long-term availability while reducing dependence on imported concentrates and refined metal from international sources.
Fluor’s Capabilities and Project Delivery Expertise
Fluor has delivered mining projects for more than a century and has built a reputation for complex concentrators, smelters, and mineral processing facilities. The company employs nearly 27,000 staff delivering engineering, procurement, construction, operations, and maintenance across multiple sectors.
Its integrated project execution strategy blends digital engineering, construction automation, global procurement, and local workforce training. This approach streamlines brownfield extensions and minimises production disruption during phased infrastructure upgrades.
Fluor reported revenue of 16.3 billion US dollars in 2024, ranking 257 on the Fortune 500. The company’s global mining expertise spans copper, lithium, nickel, rare earth elements, and metallurgical processing, positioning it strongly to support the critical minerals market.
Sustaining Growth in a Competitive Minerals Landscape
The importance of Highland Valley Copper reaches far beyond regional mining activity. The extension supports a consistent global supply of copper for low-carbon technologies, while securing long-term employment, investment, and community benefits in British Columbia.
For Teck Resources and Fluor Corporation, the HVC MLE project represents a strategic collaboration between proven operators. As demand continues to accelerate, brownfield copper assets such as Highland Valley Copper will play a pivotal role in global electrification, power reliability, and the clean energy transition.
