Policy Updates
Stay informed on our provincial and federal advocacy.
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- Policy Updates
- Provincial Updates
BC Election 2026 | A Platform for Mineral Exploration
September 28, 2026The upcoming election provides a clear opportunity for the various parties and their candidates to make clear their commitments to all sectors of the economy. Mineral exploration is the first step in building mines and securing Canada’s future. Our industry saw record spending of $752M last year, with 87% of that staying in the province. […]
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- Policy Updates
- Provincial Updates
Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF) Bulletin: Backlog declines by 48%
September 17, 2026402 total applications submitted 256 mineral 146 placer 952 total applications…
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- Policy Updates
- Provincial Updates
Policy Update: Northwest Land Use Planning Update
July 22, 2026Vancouver, BC, Canada – July 22, 2026 Last year, on June 3, 2025, the government released four land use planning processes: Kaska, Tahltan, Taku River (TRT), and the Meziadin – and implemented a one-year pause on staking mineral within these planning areas. This one-year deadline has since been missed and extended with results expected during […]
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- Policy Updates
- Provincial Updates
Member Feedback Requested: Proposed Wetland Delineation Guidance Could Affect Mineral Exploration Permitting in B.C.
July 21, 2026Vancouver, BC – July 20, 2026 – The Province of British Columbia is continuing work to modernize natural resource permitting through the development of a British Columbia Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual under the Water Sustainability Act (WSA). Once implemented, the manual will establish a standardized, science-based approach for identifying and delineating wetlands that may […]
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- Policy Updates
- Provincial Updates
Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF) Bulletin: June 2026
July 21, 2026368 total applications submitted 563 total applications approved 18 total applications withdrawn Median Approval Time: 169 days (-16%) Median Application Size: 41.2 ha Change in >120 day Backlog:
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- Policy Updates
- Provincial Updates
How the Environmental Land Use Act (ELUA) Orders Restrict Mineral Exploration
June 16, 2026What is an ELUA order? Imagine you’re working at your local coffee shop licenced only to sell coffee and pastries. Without warning an order is passed that says, no coffee or pastries are allowed to be sold in your neighbourhood. The coffee shop is still allowed to be there, the owner is still paying the […]
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- Policy Updates
Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF) Bulletin: Government Fills 15 of 17 Roles, Backlog Begins to Decline
June 15, 2026This bulletin is part of AME’s ongoing coverage of the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF) as a commitment to our members to ensure timely and transparent data is shared. Recent news from the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals indicates that 15 of 17 roles on the MCCF team. This has corresponded with more decisions being […]
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- Policy Updates
Policy Update: AME’s Written Submission for Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of Upcoming Federal Budget 2027
May 22, 2026Mineral exploration is the R&D of the resource economy. There are no mines without mineral exploration. Mineral explorers support well-paying Canadian jobs, talent and entrepreneurs. AME’s federal budget recommendations are focused on strengthening Canada’s mineral exploration ecosystem by providing the investment certainty, project-advancement tools, and policy conditions needed to support new discoveries and move promising […]
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- Policy Updates
Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF) Bulletin: Government Fills 11 of 17 Roles
May 20, 2026Recent news from the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals indicates that 11 of the 17 (or 65%) of the MCCF team are now in place from funding that was received as part of Budget 2026. The ministry continues to work to ensure a full team is in place to take on our province’s mineral […]
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- Policy Updates
Policy Update: WLRS Misses One Year Timeline on Northwest LUP
May 5, 2026Last June, the B.C. government announced four 12-month land use planning processes with Indigenous Nations in the Northwest. The timeline for completion of the northwest land use plans will miss the promised 12-month window and has been officially extended in the Fall. With the uncertainty around the one-year pause on new mining-tenure registrations in portions […]
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AME Comments on Remaining Concerns with Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) Technical Policy Paper
April 22, 2026As a part of the DRIPA action plan (2022) the BC government committed to align the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) with the UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples by Spring 2026. This plan stalled and legislation was put on pause in January 2026 after significant industry and municipal government backlash. AME has formally submitted feedback […]
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- Policy Updates
Request for Member Feedback – Heritage Conservation Act Technical Policy Paper
April 16, 2026Background As a part of the DRIPA action plan (2022) the BC government committed to align the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) with the UN Declaration on Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples by Spring 2026. This plan stalled and legislation was put on pause in January 2026 after significant industry and municipal government backlash. AME […]
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- Policy Updates
New Report on the 12-Month Review of the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework
April 14, 2026On March 25, 2025, the Province of British Columbia (BC; “the Province”) implemented the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF), substantially changing BC’s mineral claims process. The change was met with concern by the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME) and members of the mineral exploration industry. Prior to the MCCF, any person with a […]
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- Policy Updates
Policy Update: Gwa’ni Land Use Planning Project – Response from WLRS Received
March 30, 2026Vancouver, BC — March 30, 2026 — In fall 2025, AME flagged a potential Land Use Plan in the ‘Namgis First Nations area that affected 67 mineral claims in the Northern Vancouver Island region. On November 25, 2025, we sent a letter to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) requesting that the government […]
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- Policy Updates
Policy Update: Response to 6-month Mineral Claims Consultation Framework Review & Calls for Proper Resourcing
January 12, 2026Vancouver, BC, Canada – January 12, 2026 – The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) has responded to the Government of British Columbia’s 6-month review of the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF) today. The MCCF system is currently not operating within the 90–120-day service delivery timeline that was set out by the government last year. The […]
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AME Calls for Premier to Appeal Decision; Provide Clarity on Amendments to DRIPA and the Interpretation Act
December 12, 2025Vancouver, B.C. — December 12, 2025 — The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) is calling on Premier David Eby to appeal the Gitxaala Nation v. British Columbia (Chief Gold Commissioner), 2023 BCSC 1680 decision to the Supreme Court of Canada by the deadline of February 16, 2026. Additionally, AME is also calling on government to recall the legislature to […]
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Policy Update: B.C. Can Meet 30×30 Goals by Focusing on Existing ‘Other Effective Conservation Measures’
December 1, 2025Vancouver, B.C. – December 1, 2025 – The British Columbia government has committed to protecting 30 per cent of the land and water by 2030 to address climate change and protect biodiversity. Known as the ’30×30’ initiative, it is reiterated in 2025 mandate letters for the Ministers of Mining and Critical Minerals and Water, Land […]
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Policy Update: AME’s Proposed Regulatory Policies for Renewable Energy Projects
November 25, 2025The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) recently sent a letter to Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix regarding potential impacts on mineral tenure related to new renewable energy project development. It outlines practical steps that enable both renewable projects and exploration to continue in our province.
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Policy Update: AME Responds to the Gwa’ni Land Use Planning Process
November 25, 2025The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) recently sent a letter to Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Randene Neill in response to the Gwa’ni Land Use Planning Project. The letter focuses on members’ mineral claims in ‘Namgis First Nation territory, their existing relationships and potential restrictions for mineral exploration work.
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AME Members Share Opposition to Proposed Heritage Conservation Act Changes
November 15, 2025Vancouver, B.C. – November 15, 2025 – In addition to feedback about proposed changes to the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) sent by the Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) to the Minister of Forests on October 20, 2025, we have submitted a summary of additional comments from members to the Minister of Forests. A copy of […]
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AME Highlights How Mineral Claim Process Can Be Improved
October 28, 2025Vancouver, B.C. – October 28, 2025 – The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) is responding to the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals’ launch of a continuous improvement process for British Columbia’s Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF), and to the publication of data. The process is currently not functioning within the 90-120 day timeline and […]
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- Policy Updates
Policy Update: AME Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project Response
October 24, 2025Vancouver, B.C. – October 23, 2025 – The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) has submitted a response to the B.C. government’s Ministry of Forests on the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) Transformation Project. The HCA is important to AME members because mineral exploration and development projects require archaeological permits, which fall under the Act. The response […]
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Policy Update: AME Northwest Land Use Planning Interest Statement
October 20, 2025Vancouver, B.C. – October 20, 2025 The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) has submitted an Interest Statement to the B.C. government about land use planning processes in the Northwest (Kaska Dene, Meziadin, Tahltan and Taku River). The statement is based on input from AME members and mineral tenure holders in the region. It highlights that, […]
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AME Comments on National Proposed Instrument 43-101 Changes
October 8, 2025On October 8, 2025, the Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) submitted comments about proposed changes to National Instrument 43-101 technical reporting to Canadian Securities Administrators on behalf of AME members. A copy of the letter containing comments can be found below. AME also encourages anyone who might be impacted by the proposed changes to submit […]
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AME Letter to Minister of Forests: Forest Service Road Closures
April 30, 2025Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) members have been raising concerns about the closure of forest service roads used for mineral exploration, as well as many other activities. In response to this, on April 28, 2025, AME sent a letter to Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar requesting a meeting to discuss this. If you have related […]
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- Policy Updates
Policy Update: MTA Modernization
March 11, 2024For the latest Mineral Tenure Act updates, visit our news section. March 12, 2024 Further to our Policy Update and News Release on Thursday, March 7, 2024, regarding the agreement reached between the BC government and Gitxaala Nation and the Ehattesaht First Nation, AME has received detailed information about the Orders in Council issued that […]
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AME Statement on Mineral Tenure Act Modernization
March 7, 2024For the latest Mineral Tenure Act updates, visit our news section. AME continues to seek transparency, certainty and clarity on the Mineral Tenure Act (MTA) modernization process. Industry must play a more significant role in this process as a tenuring system that protects the intellectual property of our members and ensures their ability to explore […]
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AME Responds to Statement by Minister Nathan Cullen on Proposed Land Act Amendments
February 21, 2024Please see below a statement from Keerit Jutla, President and CEO of AME: Early this afternoon, AME was made aware that the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship will not be proceeding with the proposed amendments to the Land Act. Since the beginning, AME has expressed concerns about the way the B.C. government was […]
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AME Responds to BC’s Consultation on Land Act Amendments
January 31, 2024Earlier this month, the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) commenced virtual public consultations on amending the Land Act, one of the primary pieces of legislation used to convey land to the public for community, industrial and business use. This ongoing engagement process is linked to potential legislative amendments that will give […]
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Mineral Tenure Act Challenge Summary
June 14, 2023As of May 30, 2023 Prepared by Nathan Surkan, Associate at Fasken After 14 days of hearing (an additional 6 days to the originally scheduled 8 days of hearing), the Gitxaala and Ehattesaht judicial review challenge to the grant of mineral claims without consultation in British Columbia concluded on May 19, 2023. The discrete legal […]
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Notice of Work Intake Schedule
August 10, 2022Working closely with AME, the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI) is piloting a Notice of Work intake batching process for new applications. The batching process will bring more certainty regarding when applications will be reviewed and feedback provided, as well as when applications will be sent out for referral to other […]
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PHO Update: Industrial Camps and Communicable Diseases Guidelines
July 12, 2022On July 12, 2022, the BC Ministry of Health made updates to the Industrial Camps and Communicable Diseases Guidelines. The updates have been made less prescriptive and more enabling to allow health officials and industry to tailor their approaches to communicable disease prevention and response to their particular situation. In summary, the main changes to […]
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BC Releases Budget 2022
February 23, 2022The Government of BC released its 2022/2023 budget on Tuesday, February 22. As expected, there is a strong focus on housing, healthcare, childcare, reconciliation and climate change (including disaster relief and clean transportation, energy and infrastructure. Mineral exploration received a specific call out in Budget 2022 as a “growing sector” as the Hon. Selina Robinson, […]
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- Policy Updates
Permit to Practice Requirements
September 14, 2021The Professional Governance Act came into force on February 5, 2021, and requires Engineers and Geoscientists BC to regulate firms, including sole practitioners, that engage in the practice of professional geoscience or engineering. This means all companies who employ professional geoscientists and engineers must apply for a Permit to Practice with Engineers and Geoscientists BC. The deadline […]
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PGA and EGBC Update
April 21, 2021Professional Governance ACT and Engineers and Geoscientists BC The new Professional Governance Act (PGA) legislates Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC) to regulate all firms that engage in the practice of engineering or geoscience for external or internal consumption. This means all companies who employ professional geologists and engineers (including sole proprietors) will need to […]
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- Policy Updates
Permitting | Reclamation Bond Calculator Guidance Update
March 16, 2021Please see the following direction from the Chief Permitting Officer: There has been a recent update made to the Regional Mine Reclamation Bond Calculator Guidance Document (the Guidance). The change surrounds the requisite level of reclamation effort required on existing roads that are used by proponents to access exploration sites and it provides additional clarity on the […]
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Permitting | Notice of Work Intake Continuous Improvement Project
March 15, 2021Timelines for review and approval of the Notice of Work (NoW) applications are a concern for both industry and government. As part of a larger review of the NoW application process, the Province is completing an in-depth review and redesign of the process of receiving and accepting applications. This process, known as the Notice of Work […]
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Caribou Herd Planning
January 7, 2021Meeting on Tuesday, January 12 The Government of British Columbia is resuming caribou herd planning this January and would like to engage mineral tenure holders in order to build recovery scenarios that consider mineral exploration and development activities. Through the review and analysis of the scenarios, participants will develop recommendations to the government. AME members […]
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Finance Canada Publishes Legislative Proposal to Extend Flow-Through Timelines
January 6, 2021On December 23, 2020, the mineral exploration industry received clarity from CRA on December 23 that taxpayers may file their tax returns based on proposed legislation extending the timelines for junior mineral exploration companies in spending the capital they raise via flow-through shares. The federal government had originally proposed the extension in a July 10 […]
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BC Election 2020 | Questions for Candidates
October 2, 2020As British Columbians prepare to go to the polls on Saturday, October 24, AME is providing the following questions for our members to pose to their local candidates in an effort to help you gauge how supportive your candidates are of mineral exploration. Please note that your local Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade […]
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BC Mine Audits and Effectiveness Unit is seeking your feedback
April 22, 2020The Mine Audits and Effectiveness Unit (the Audit Unit) is an independent team in the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (the Ministry). The Audit Unit conducts audits to ensure mining regulation in B.C. is effective and aligned with global best practice. The Audit Unit is currently conducting an audit to assess whether Ministry […]
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President and CEO’s Message Spring 2020
March 1, 2020To all of you who attended and made our 37th annual AME Roundup conference a great success, thank you. The hard work and dedication of our volunteers is humbling to witness, we truly can not execute the conference to the calibre that we do, without our volunteers and members. This year, we welcomed 6,190 attendees […]
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President and CEO’s Message Winter 2019
January 30, 2020AME Roundup 2020 is around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited! This will be my first Roundup as president and CEO, a much different role for me, when compared to my time as Roundup Organizing Committee chair in 2015, ’16 and ’17. Roundup truly is one of my favourite times of the year, […]
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