This summer, AME President & CEO Keerit Jutla travelled across B.C. to speak with members, Indigenous Nations, and stakeholders. During this trip he travelled to Osoyoos, Kamloops, and the Cariboo regions. The trip allowed him to meet some of the people working in all phases of mineral exploration and mining. Along the way the team captured video footage that will be used to help showcase the stories of mineral exploration and mining in the province.
One thing that stood out was that explorers in B.C. feel like they are not being treated fairly and they don’t feel heard. When permits are delayed it doesn’t only impact exploration companies; local business and communities feel it as well. AME is committed to fighting for the hard-working people and communities that keep the industry moving forward. This tour was a critical step in engaging AME members and Indigenous Nations to understand their concerns, while highlighting the importance of responsible exploration.
Osoyoos
Keerit’s first visit included productive discussions with Chief Clarence Louie and the Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation, focusing on fostering respect-based engagement between AME members and the Band. This aligns with AME’s commitment to building strong relationships with Indigenous Nations as a key part of responsible exploration.
He also had the opportunity to meet with Grizzly Discoveries Inc. and visit the company’s various exploration projects. This listening tour was instrumental in understanding the unique challenges faced by both groups.
While travelling to Osoyoos, the team’s journey was interrupted by a tragic highway accident, leading them to be rerouted through a rural farming area. Stranded in traffic for nearly three hours, they passed several homes, one of which stood out for their incredible generosity. A family with four young children was seated outside, offering free water and use of their bathrooms to stranded drivers, simply out of the goodness of their hearts. Their kindness was deeply touching and a welcome relief. When they learned the team was from AME – Association for Mineral Exploration, their young boy excitedly showed them his collection of polished stones. His passion for rocks was a delightful coincidence and a reminder of the human connections can be made, even in difficult situations.
Kamloops
In Kamloops, Keerit met with Simpcw First Nation, and discussed how First Nations want to be engaged by industry, both in early exploration and further into Notice of Work periods. This conversation reflected the importance of early engagement with Indigenous Nations and how these partnerships are essential for responsible exploration.
The tour also included a trip to Imperial Metals’ Ruddock Creek project in the North Thompson region and Westhaven Gold Corp’s Shovelnose project near Merritt. In both cases, Keerit was able to see what walking the land and non-invasive sample collecting looks like under the Mineral Tenure Act. Later, he saw the work of diamond drilling conducted under the Mines Act Notice of Work permits.
Importantly, Keerit was able to engage some local businesses in Kamloops, including the Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce, Atlas Drilling and Finning. These companies and organizations highlighted the important role that mining plays in communities in the province. The mineral exploration industry doesn’t just employ people in well paying jobs; these businesses are anchors of their communities and regions. When permits for explorers get delayed, those delays hurt everyone in the supply chain. These interactions emphasized the critical economic and social role mineral exploration plays in sustaining communities throughout B.C.
Cariboo
Most recently, Keerit travelled to the Cariboo region. The trip included a tour of Imperial Metals Corporation’s Mount Polley Mine, including the pit operations and exploration drilling. Keerit also visited Osisko Development Corp.’s, Cariboo Gold project in historic Wells, B.C. to talk about the importance of community and Indigenous partnerships in exploration and mine permitting. Along the way, he met with Williams Lake Mayor Surinderpal Rathor, who spoke about the importance of the resource sector to his community. This region, like many others, depends heavily on mineral exploration to create jobs and support local businesses.
Finishing the off the tour, Keerit attended the Williams Lake First Nation’s Speaking Our Truth Pow Wow to watch Nations from all over, perform and spend time with Chief Willie Sellars. This moment served as a cultural highlight of the tour, reinforcing the respect and collaboration that AME fosters with First Nations.
Conclusion
B.C. is a big province, and this tour only touched a small part of it. AME is thankful to the people who took the time to showcase their projects and their people, and to have frank discussions about the challenges they are facing. Keerit is excited to keep engaging members and advocating for their issues. By visiting key mineral exploration and mine sites and meeting with Indigenous leaders, AME continues to strengthen its relationships across the province, while reinforcing the importance of the resource sector to B.C.’s economy.
