Vancouver, B.C. – June 3, 2025 – The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) has responded to today’s Province of British Columbia announcement about expedited land use planning processes in Northwest B.C.

AME is encouraged by earlier than normal engagement with government in these land use planning processes and a commitment for AME to be at the table with the government, First Nations and other interested groups.

AME Board Chair Trish Jacques said: “AME shares the government’s aspiration for certainty, including establishing clear areas for critical minerals and precious metals exploration and development. While there are good signs at this early stage – from the accelerated one-year land use planning process, to allowing Notice of Work permitting and existing tenures to continue throughout the planning area – mineral explorers have invested hard work and money in areas that may be considered sensitive. AME will continue to advocate to protect mineral exploration and development for the benefit of all British Columbians.”

In its planning, the government has listened to early feedback from AME, and has allowed for areas deemed to be “non-sensitive” within the entire planning area to remain open for mineral claim staking and Notice of Work considerations. Other areas (understood to be 30% of the total land use planning area) are currently deemed “sensitive”; however, existing mineral tenure holders will be able to continue to perform exploration work through Notice of Work application approvals. During the 1 year “pause”, the sensitive areas will not accept new mineral claim considerations and will be undergoing land use planning and consideration. While the accelerated land use planning processes deadline of June 2026 represents an opportunity to provide clarity quickly, caution and restraint must be exercised when making decisions that, in sensitive areas, have the potential to existentially impact the certainty and stability of the mineral exploration industry. Where impact to existing tenure holders cannot be avoided, any such impact, including potential expropriation of mineral tenure, must be fairly compensated.

AME had advocated for the sensitive areas to be administered through the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework to preserve first-in-line status and fairness. This was not accepted. AME has also put forward principles for the land use planning processes to support the mineral exploration industry, and calls on government and First Nations to ensure:

  • Transparency
  • Minimal Disturbance
  • Fair & Competitive Environment
  • No Pauses to Existing Tenure
  • Permitting Efficiency in Finished Land Use Plan
  • Fair Compensation
  • Replicability
  • Certainty

In addition, AME strongly recommends that the potential mineralization of the region is included in the planning to ensure it is balanced with other information in the decision-making process. Including these points will help to deliver a process that enables an opportunity for tens of billions in investment and thousands of good, family-supporting jobs across the province. Establishing clear areas for exploration and development can eliminate permitting delays leading to a competitive advantage for the region.

AME Contact:
Richard Truman
604.404.1031
[email protected]