"Why Imperial Metals surrendered its mining rights in B.C.’s Skagit headwaters," 20 Jan. 2022

Three years of negotiations, against a backdrop of international outrage from Indigenous communities, environmental groups and local governments, have ended plans by Imperial Metals to conduct exploratory drilling for copper and gold in the Skagit Doughnut Hole, a sensitive and unprotected area near the Canada-U.S. border, that contains the headwaters of the Skagit River and is encircled by Skagit Valley and E.C. Manning provincial parks.

... First Nations will be integral in deciding on future protection of the area as “since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples, including the Stó:lō, Syilx and Nlaka’pamux First Nations, as well as the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Upper Skagit Tribe and Sauk Suiattle Tribe have depended upon the pristine ecosystem and diversity of wild salmon running in the Skagit River watershed,” the release states.

... Imperial Metals, which has held the Giant Copper mineral claims in the area east of Hope since 1988, will be paid $24 million for the surrender which will cover “all prior investment in the Giant Copper claim area,” says an Imperial Metals news release.

... “Our objective as a mining company would have been to proceed with exploration of our claims, but, as a company that is responsive to the aspirations of Indigenous communities, government and neighbours, we support this agreement,” said Imperial president Brian Kynoch.