The Association for Mineral Exploration has flagged its concerns with the new Mineral Claims Consultation Framework released by the British Columbia government.
In particular, the association pointed to the framework’s development process and its detail.
“AME understands the need to implement the framework by March 26. However, it has taken the full 18 months to get to this stage, and the government has only meaningfully engaged with industry in recent months. This has limited our association's ability to provide prudent feedback on some complex issues, although some progress has been made,” said Trish Jacques, AME board chair, in a statement.
The framework was published on March 20, under a week before the deadline implemented by the British Columbia Supreme Court in September 2023. The MCCF incorporates Indigenous consultation into the claim staking process via a new application process before registration; consultation with Indigenous communities was previously not a requirement until applying for permits to conduct mechanical mineral exploration work had begun.
The AME pointed out that the framework did not address core industry concerns like ensuring reliable timelines and applicant confidentiality to facilitate objective decision-making.
“The B.C. government has failed to meaningfully address two of our main concerns. The decision to include applicants' names in the processes takes away confidentiality of the applicant and the protection of their intellectual property. This means the process cannot be guaranteed to be unbiased and objective,” Jacques said. “Also, the timelines in the framework are not firm and are only targets, despite promises by the Premier to guarantee permitting timelines. This leaves us with a wait-and-see approach to how government manages timelines in a manner that will support the mineral exploration industry. AME has been clear that timelines must be upheld to ensure investment in early-stage mineral exploration.”
The AME said it would lend its expertise to the government in reviewing the timelines and effectiveness at six months, providing a chance to adjust and amend the program based on recommendations.
“It is important for the government to recognize that the implementation of the MCCF creates instability for the mineral exploration industry. Based on industry's experience with the development of the MCCF, AME is deeply concerned with government's stated goal of modernizing the Mineral Tenure Act in 2026,” the association said in a statement. “At a time when economic uncertainty is already heightened by Trump Tariffs and democratic instability following the passage of Bill 7, this initiative risks further deterring investment in the sector.”
The AME urged the government to slow down and “allow for the MCCF and government's management of it to prove itself out prior to piling further change and instability on the industry.”