Vancouver, BC, Canada – January 13, 2026 – An Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) letter to Premier David Eby outlines substantive amendments to British Columbia’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) and Interpretation Act.
Sent today, the letter articulates four specific amendments to the legislation. It states that any lesser action would represent a failure to deal with the underlying issues impacting the mineral exploration and mining sector, and the province caused by DRIPA. The province not moving forward with these substantive amendments would leave DRIPA and the Interpretation Act in their current form as completely unworkable and detrimental to our sector and the overall economy of British Columbia.
AME initially supported DRIPA in 2019 on the understanding that government would provide transparent and timely project review processes to attract the capital needed to develop our natural resources for the benefit of all British Columbians. Following the Gitxaala appeal, AME called for government to appeal the decision and make substantive amendments to DRIPA and the Interpretation Act. AME continues to be supportive of opportunity for all and increased involvement of Indigenous governments in our industry. However, the experience of our members with DRIPA has been the opposite of this and entirely negative.
Under DRIPA, decisions and legislative changes have been developed in secret and, once unveiled, have provided little to no benefit to mineral exploration. Decision making has been slowed as governments moved away from their Section 35 obligations toward consent seeking decision making on even small permits.
Commenting on the issue, AME President and CEO Todd Stone said: “The current pathway government is on has dramatically increased delay and confusion in mineral exploration. Many of our early-stage and smallest members are hit the hardest and are seeing their way of life disappear. Reconciliation cannot work when only a few bear the gains.”
AME recognizes the Premier’s statements about the need to amend both pieces of legislation. Missing in his comments and in the current legislation is the concept of public interest and engagement with other affected rights holders. Despite government having long standing tools to measure the public interest in decision making, the balance has not been present in attempts to develop and implement the action plan. It is vital that this is clearly outlined in the legislation moving forward. AME is also encouraging government to ensure that concurrent engagement with the affected public and consideration of the public interest are given weight in amendments.
AME members wishing to share their input on DRIPA are encouraged to email [email protected].
About AME
The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) is the lead association for the mineral exploration and development industry based in British Columbia. Established in 1912, AME represents, advocates and promotes the interests of more than 6,000 members who are engaged in mineral exploration and development in BC and globally. AME encourages a safe, economically strong and environmentally responsible industry by providing clear initiatives, policies, events and tools to support its membership in delivering responsible projects that advance reconciliation and provide benefit to all British Columbians.
AME Contact:
Richard Truman
Senior Director, External Affairs
Association for Mineral Exploration
604-404-1031
[email protected]