Eighty-five workers at the New Afton gold and copper mine near Kamloops are being laid off as the C-Zone block cave project shifts from construction to full production. The company says the job cuts reflect the normal project cycle after C-Zone reached commercial production in late 2024, and are not tied to the recent shareholder-approved sale of New Gold to U.S.-based Coeur Mining.

While layoffs are difficult for affected families, this type of workforce reduction is common in Canada’s resource sector, where employment often peaks during development and declines once mines enter steady-state operations. Mining remains a key employer in British Columbia and across Canada, but jobs can fluctuate with project phases, commodity prices, and investment cycles.

New Gold has indicated it is exploring ways to extend the mine’s life beyond 2031 and plans to increase its 2025 exploration budget by $5 million, particularly as the K-Zone deposit has expanded. The company aims to publish an initial mineral resource estimate by year-end and advance a feasibility study in 2026, signaling potential longer-term employment stability if expansion proceeds.

Have you been laid off by New Gold in Canada? Contact our employment lawyers today. Our legal team may offer a free case assessment and works on a contingency basis —there are no fees unless you win your case.

Aaron Schulze’s original article, “New Gold laying off 85 employees at New Afton mine” was published in CFJC TODAY on February 17, 2026. Read the Full CFJC TODAY news story.

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