With a permit decision imminent for West High Yield’s proposed Record Ridge Industrial Minerals Mine (RRIMM), Rossland’s mayor and council may struggle to justify their continued opposition if the mine is greenlit, especially given that B.C.’s permitting process enforces some of the world’s most stringent environmental standards.
Considering Premier Eby’s recent push to expedite critical mineral projects, including his statement at the Association for Mineral Exploration BC’s annual conference that mining is “key to the success of our province,” it’s hard to imagine this permit being denied.
With B.C.’s record $11 billion deficit and an all-out trade war with the U.S. underway, securing every revenue stream is critical.
If the mine meets all regulatory requirements, rejecting it would undermine the Premier’s commitments to industry, First Nations, and economic stability.
Such a decision would send shockwaves through the investment sector, further driving capital out of the province.
Rossland is no exception to B.C.’s financial struggles.
Rising property taxes, utility rates, and parcel taxes, paired with aging infrastructure, have left the city struggling.
If Mayor Andy Morel’s aim is to calm financial stability concerns, continuing to oppose a small-scale critical mineral mine offering economic support without compromising environmental stewardship does the opposite.
Opponents, including Save Record Ridge Action Committee, claim that “the project will be of no benefit to the town," a statement that seems either remarkably naïve or deliberately misleading.
Likewise, among the many criticisms directed at the proponent, the fact that it is a publicly traded Canadian company paying claim fees and development costs is hardly an indictment.
Anyone can be a shareholder, and when a project succeeds, the benefits extend beyond investors — local communities, First Nations, and service providers all stand to gain.
Teck Resources is a prime example.
Despite being partially foreign owned, its economic contributions to the region are undeniable.
Has Teck’s massive Trail smelter and its legacy of lead pollution harmed the West Kootenay economy?
Hardly.
Trail understands, and Rossland should too — industry and local communities can coexist and thrive.
History shows small mines drive major economic impacts.
The MAX Molybdenum Mine, despite its remote location 100 km west of Kaslo, generated widespread benefits: local suppliers, service industries, and even regional hotels and restaurants saw increased business.
It also contributed directly through scholarships, student jobs, and community sponsorships
However, Rossland city council has yet to engage in meaningful conversations with West High Yield for potential assistance and cooperation that could bring valuable support to local businesses and services.
Meanwhile, Rossland missed a key opportunity to strengthen community engagement and economic contributions by declining West High Yield’s offer to sponsor the 2025 Winter Carnival as a gold sponsor.
When the city is hiking taxes across the board and facing financial strain, residents should be asking: why turn away a chance for economic growth and community investment?
This is about a mayor and council who formed their position without giving the RRIMM project a fair chance, and before a permit decision.
Under former Mayor Kathy Moore, the city held several meetings with West High Yield to explore the project’s potential.
However, since Mayor Morel took office, the city’s stance flipped, more out of prejudice and political ideology than any genuine assessment of the project’s merits, and to the detriment of residents.
Increased activity from mining doesn’t just mean more flights, hotel stays, and business for local suppliers; it also means greater economic resilience, tax revenue, and job creation.
This is sorely needed in Rossland. More importantly, the economic ripple effect through wages spent locally could provide a stable and lasting boost to Rossland’s businesses, reinforcing the town’s economic resilience for years to come.
West High Yield has already been active in the area and spending locally for more than 20 years, and that’s before any full-scale development.
Beyond the financial benefits, mining and mineral exploration are the largest private-sector employers of First Nations in B.C.
Since 2008, the industry contributed over $465 million in mineral tax revenue sharing with Indigenous communities.
West High Yield has also signed cooperation and contractual agreements with Osoyoos Indian Band, ensuring Indigenous participation in the project.
Public interest isn’t for armchair critics to decide.
Responsible resource development has a proven record of economic growth, community investment, and long-term sustainability.
New mines are extremely rare, and despite the proposed benefits and concerns, the reality is that no one can fully predict the long-term impacts of permitting a mine, no matter its size.
When Rossland’s own mines shut down a century ago, the Trail smelter adapted, sourcing material from across the region, and eventually the world.
That is sustainability — and something few foresaw in the late 1800s.
As the permit decision looms, Rossland should embrace the opportunity for growth and adaptability as history has shown, or risk letting it pass by, clinging to opposition without considering the long-term benefits and growth.
All opinions expressed are my own. My coverage of this topic reflects my broader interest in the industry and is independent of any financial affiliations.
Warren Mirko, regulatory and public affairs consultant, Warfield.
