Record Ridge: A Unique Grassland Landscape Still at Risk
The Grasslands Conservation Council remains concerned about the proposed Record Ridge magnesium mine near Rossland, British Columbia. Record Ridge contains one of the most unusual and ecologically significant grassland ecosystems in the province, and its conservation remains an important issue for grassland advocates across BC.
Why Record Ridge Matters
Grasslands are exceptionally rare in the West Kootenay region. Record Ridge is home to the only known extensive high-elevation grassland complex in the area, supporting a remarkable diversity of native plants and ecological communities.
The site is noted for its rich botanical diversity, including species such as bitterroot, lomatiums, oniongrass, and many other plants found in a combination that is extremely uncommon in Canada. The area has been featured on field tours by both Botany BC and the West Kootenay Botanical Society, highlighting its significance to botanists, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Record Ridge also contains habitat for the threatened Mountain Holly Fern (Polystichum scopulinum), a species listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).
Beyond the presence of individual rare species, the ecological value of Record Ridge lies in the plant community as a whole. These grasslands represent thousands of years of ecological development and adaptation. Once disturbed, the unique relationships among soils, plants, pollinators, and wildlife cannot simply be recreated through reclamation.
The Proposed Mine
W.H.Y. Resources has proposed an open-pit magnesium mine on Record Ridge. Conservation organizations and local residents have raised concerns about the potential impacts to rare grassland habitats, species at risk, water resources, recreation, and the broader ecological integrity of the Rossland Range.
While reclamation may eventually establish vegetation cover on disturbed areas, the existing plant community and ecological characteristics of Record Ridge would be permanently altered.
Recent Developments
In June 2026, the BC Supreme Court released its decision regarding a judicial review related to the project’s environmental assessment requirements. While the Court accepted portions of the arguments presented by opponents of the project, it declined to refer the matter back to the Environmental Assessment Office for reconsideration.
The Save Record Ridge Action Committee has announced its intention to appeal the decision to the BC Court of Appeal, arguing that projects originally determined to require environmental assessment should not be able to avoid that process simply by reducing their stated production levels while remaining substantially similar in scope.
The legal proceedings are ongoing, and additional permitting processes remain outstanding. The project still requires various provincial approvals before construction could proceed, and a separate judicial review related to mine permitting is scheduled for later this year.
GCC’s Position
The Grasslands Conservation Council continues to advocate for a thorough understanding of the ecological values at Record Ridge and supports robust environmental review processes for projects that could result in the permanent loss of rare ecosystems.
Record Ridge is more than a potential mine site. It is a unique grassland landscape that contributes to British Columbia’s biodiversity, supports rare species, and provides opportunities for scientific study, recreation, and connection to nature.
As discussions and legal proceedings continue, GCC will continue to support science-based conservation and raise awareness about the importance of protecting rare grassland ecosystems wherever they occur in British Columbia.
How can you help ?
Learn more about the proposed mine at https://saverecordridge.ca/. Share information with your network about the mine and the special grasslands that it threatens.
Write a letter of your own to the Government of BC. Find Government contact information and a letter template here.
Photos: Kootenay Native Plant Society
