Responsible mineral exploration is possible only through building and sustaining respectful, open, and long-lasting relationships built on trust and mutual understanding. As the largest private-sector employer of Indigenous peoples in remote communities, the mineral exploration and mining industry is uniquely positioned to support efforts toward reconciliation.
AME works with Indigenous groups to enable dialogue and understanding and to build the positive relationships that are integral to successful resource development. AME is recognized as a leader in Indigenous relations and community engagement for the mineral exploration industry. AME was an early advocate in recommending that governments share tax revenue generated from mining directly with local First Nations. British Columbia was the first province in Canada to introduce mineral resource revenue sharing on new mining projects and has placed a strong focus on community development to assist First Nations in achieving their social and economic goals.
AME is a founding partner of the BC Regional Mining Alliance, a regional partnership between Indigenous groups, industry and provincial government representatives.
Guiding Principles
The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) recognizes that building and fostering respectful and sustainable relationships with Indigenous groups is good corporate practice, supports the principles of reconciliation and will assist its members with undertaking exploration.
AME Resources
Sharing Our Stories
Across the province, mineral explorers are working side-by-side with Indigenous groups to build trust and responsibly advance exploration and development projects. Sharing stories is a tool we can use to build relationships.
Guiding Principles
In conducting their activities, AME members should strive to:
- Respect existing and asserted Aboriginal rights and title and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples.
- Work proactively and continuously with Indigenous groups to build mutually beneficial relationships that advance reconciliation and that are based on trust, transparency, mutual respect and recognition.
- Respect the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Seek Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) wherever possible.
- Engage early and frequently with Indigenous groups. Be responsive to concerns raised and transparent about activities that may affect Indigenous values and interests.
- Incorporate local and/or traditional Indigenous knowledge into socio-environmental studies and management plans. Be respectful of the nature of such information and maintain confidentiality when requested.
- Provide potentially affected Indigenous groups with timely and accessible information needed to encourage open, meaningful and inclusive dialogue.
- Respect the diversity of interests and cultures and traditions between Indigenous groups. Respect their diverse views towards land and its resources.
- Encourage governments to carry out their duty to consult and accommodate in a manner that reasonably balances existing and asserted Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous people with the interests of AME members.
The Gathering Place
The Gathering Place is where the mineral exploration industry and First Nations communities come together to engage in open and honest dialogue and to strengthen their relationships. AME Roundup 2022 will mark the 10th year of the Gathering Place.
We have come a long way in building our relationships between Industry, Indigenous peoples, and Government. While we have indeed made much progress we recognize that the path of reconciliation is more a journey than a destination. This year we want to highlight those companies and communities who have taken exceptional steps along this path to work together and to prosper.
Lana Eagle
AME Roundup 2022 will be hosted from the unceded territories of the Coast Salish people, including the lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ /Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. People will be joining the conference in person and virtually from afar this year and so we acknowledge participation from the traditional territories of Nations throughout BC, Yukon and beyond.
