World's biggest miner completed the excavation and lining of the two 1,000 metre shafts at the mine, the largest of their kind in the Canadian province.
The project will test whether using seaweed enhances the health of tree species that are native to areas where Teck is rehabilitating former mining areas.
Artisanal small-scale mining provides a livelihood to over 40 million people worldwide, which, for the gold mining sector, corresponds to about 20 million miners.
Western Copper has been in discussions with the YESAB on how to address changes in assessment methods, environmental base practices and enhancements to the Casino project.
The company has arranged a term loan of $200 million and a revolving credit facility of $50 million for development and construction of an open pit and conventional mill.