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North Slave Métis Alliance (NSMA) and the City of Yellowknife (CoY) signed an MOU today at AME Roundup in Vancouver.  This agreement will enable the collection, processing, and recycling of waste copper from governments, businesses, and residents to help meet the growing global demand for this critical mineral.

Copper is essential for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, and modern infrastructure, making its recovery increasingly important.  For decades, copper found in frayed extension cords, old wiring, and pipes has gone to waste and taken up scarce space in the City’s landfill.  

Starting Spring 2026, residents and businesses will be able to drop off copper at existing recycling collection points and the City’s solid waste facility.  Recycling copper uses only about 15% of the energy needed to produce new copper from ore, dramatically lowering the carbon footprint and removing a heavy metal from the City’s landfill.

Diavik Diamond Mines recently transferred its award-winning copper recycling program to NSMA as part of the Closure Agreement signed between the parties.  “This agreement demonstrates what practical co-management looks like on the ground,” said Marc Whitford, President of the North Slave Métis Alliance. “By leading a copper recycling initiative in partnership with the City of Yellowknife, NSMA is creating local economic opportunity for its membership while contributing directly to Yellowknife’s waste-reduction goals.  This is Indigenous-led environmental action that benefits the whole community.”

 “This project is a win-win-win for Yellowknife,” said Mayor Ben Hendriksen.  “It reduces fire and shock risks, extends the life of our landfill, and strengthens partnerships with the North Slave Métis Alliance.  At the same time, it advances our Strategic Waste Management Plan and supports a circular economy that benefits everyone.”

Also attending the MOU signing ceremony were senior representatives from organizations assisting NSMA in transitioning Diavik’s not-for-profit copper project to a sustainable northern processing business operated by Metcor Inc., NSMA’s business arm.

Minister Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), noted: “This is an example of what I love most about business – an innovative and creative idea that not only generates revenue, but also solves a problem. It is inspiring to see this innovative initiative move forward, while showcasing NSMA’s proactive track record of recruiting partners and demonstrating its commitment to sustainability.”

Minister Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, said: “It is exciting to watch NSMA turn the closing of a major customer into an opportunity to transition and grow a new business that increases safety, reduces carbon and waste, and helps the NWT move to a more circular economy – where more is reused and less is thrown away. Our government is pleased to fund equipment for this initiative.”

Gord Stephenson, Diavik Diamond Mines’ General Manager, Closure, said: “As we move towards closure in March 2026, NSMA’s plan to transition and scale up the copper project into a sustainable Northern Indigenous business is very gratifying for the Diavik team. We are proud to support NSMA’s business development efforts as part of our own lasting legacy in the North.

NSMA will engage with other North Slave communities later in 2026 to ask whether they wish to participate in the program to divert copper from their community landfills.

The City and NSMA will share more details on collection points and recycling guidelines in the coming weeks.

 

(In the photo, from left to right: Minister Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment; President Mark Whitford, North Slave Métis Alliance; Gord Stephenson, General Manager, Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.; Mayor Ben Hendriksen, City of Yellowknife; and Minister Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.)