Resilient Minds for Explorers
Mental health is an essential pillar of any health and safety program. Specific challenges, including extensive travel, prolonged fieldwork, gender and diversity imbalances… Read More
Why We Are Participating in Pride
Held annually for over 40 years, Vancouver’s Pride Festival and Parade is a vibrant celebration of love and inclusion offering support for people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Ho… Read More
Mineral Tenure Act Modernization: What You Need to Know
Updated January 17, 2024. For more recent updates, click here. A multi-generational opportunity to modernize the Mineral Tenure Act and advance reconciliation in British Colu… Read More
AME Podcast: Exploration Matters Episode 2
Episode 2 of the AME Podcast: Exploration Matters is sponsored by: Show Notes June 29, 2022 Thanks for listening to #ExplorationMatters, the podcast for people interested in mat… Read More
Putting Safety First
Born out of a tragedy 40 years ago, AME's Health & Safety Committee is helping explorers across Canada have a safe day everyday
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2020 Edition of the Mineral Exploration Magazine. The AME Health & Safety Committee celebrate 42 productive and impactful ye… Read More
Talent is Discovered at AME Roundup
Calling all students, recent graduates and young professionals! AME Roundup is for YOU. Each year, AME Roundup attracts students, recent graduates and young professionals loo… Read More
Back to the Bush 2021
“Don’t underestimate the level of effort required” to manage COVID prevention in addition to managing the usual risks Spring is in the air, and for BC’s mineral explorers, this me… Read More
ICYMI: Permitting Update and Regulation Changes 2021
Two recent AME events discussed the new Registration of Firms requirement from Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) and provided an update on the Notice of Work (NoW) applicati… Read More
Remote Roundup 2021 in 21 Memorable Quotes
Snippets of the important conversations that took place at AME’s first 100% virtual Roundup conference. “Responsible resource extraction is what we do.” – The Honorable Seamus… Read More
Leading Through Change
David Elliott on the Changing Exploration Finance Landscape
When it comes to raising capital for mineral exploration, David Elliott, Vice President and Director, Haywood Securities, has seen it all. As a preeminent resource financier, E… Read More
Building Strong Relationships Through Employment and Training
Frequent advice given to explorers stepping onto new ground anywhere in British Columbia is to “engage early and often” with local First Nations. What does engagem… Read More
Leading Through Change
Craig Hart on the changing role of mineral exploration geologists
As we near the end of this disrupted year, we asked University of British Columbia Associate Professor and past Director of Mineral Deposit Research Unit, Craig Hart, how the mine… Read More
Explorer to the Core
Chronicling the varied career of AME past president and life member Don Mustard
Exploration geologist Donald Kennedy Mustard P.Eng. landed in Vancouver on June 6, 1965, with his wife, three young children and “the clothes we stood up in.” But he had a job, and w… Read More
Are We Making Progress on Diversity and Inclusion?
Yes, some, but not as quickly as you may think Change is hard. Think back to the time, decades ago, when safety was not a top priority for mineral explorers. How did we move forward to t… Read More
Safety in the Sky
How a fatal helicopter incident in July 1980 set AME on the path to building a Safe Day Everyday culture for explorers in British Columbia That distinctive tick-tick-tick and whir… Read More
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Evolution of AME’s Gathering Place
A diverse crowd of close to 300 people filled The Gathering Place at Roundup on 21 January 2020 to listen to Chad Norman Day, president of the Tahltan Central Government, and Jerry A… Read More
Disruption is Normal
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Exploration Business
This week signals the beginning of Phase Two in British Columbia: a careful restart of certain businesses, organizations, and institutions after two long months of restriction… Read More
How We’re Coping With COVID-19
In late January 2020, British Columbia confirmed its first case of COVID-19, a disease caused by a novel coronavirus. By mid-March, AME members became acutely aware of the virus w… Read More
Investors Needed
Where are the women and young people eyeing the exploration and mining sectors?
James Maxwell A deeper and more diverse pool of investors will bring much needed new capital into the minerals industry in Canada. In recent years, investment in the minerals indu… Read More
An Exclusive Interview with Minister Ralston
Minister Ralston commits to regulatory excellence to guide ‘good projects through the hurdles’
Monday was Mining Day at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in Victoria and New Democratic Party (NDP) MLA Bruce Ralston attended for the first time in his new role as Min… Read More
Tools for Building Investor Confidence
As mineral explorers and mine developers, we rely almost exclusively on investors to fund the work that we do. Our project may have amazing geology and be in a premiere location lik… Read More
Discovering the Spences Bridge Gold Belt
How perseverance and public geoscience unearthed a new gold belt in southwestern B.C.
For the last 20 years, while “everybody else was largely focused on the Golden Triangle,” prospector Edward Balon was uncovering a rich new epithermal gold district just a few hou… Read More
Kendra Johnston’s First 100 Days
Kendra Johnston officially stepped into her new role as AME President and CEO on June 13. As a true geologist at heart, one of Johnston’s first orders of business was to suggest a fie… Read More
Backing a Winner
AME Awards from the nominator’s perspective
Behind the bright lights and ceremony of AME’s annual Awards Gala: Celebration of Excellence, each January is the hard work of the Awards Committee, AME staff, and the members who… Read More
Exploration on the Edge
Stay safe while searching for mineral deposits in British Columbia's steepest terrain
Geologist Andy Randell standing on the rim of Lost Valley at the edge of the Cambria Icefield, near Stewart, B.C. | Andy Randell British Columbia is beautiful. Spectacular mounta… Read More
Q&A with Bob Joseph
Positive relationships with First Nations are critical for any mineral exploration or mining project hoping to advance and be approved for development in British Columbia. As t… Read More
How a driver’s licence and business card help explain artificial intelligence in mineral exploration
The terms ‘artificial intelligence’ (AI) and ‘machine learning’ (ML) conjure up vastly different images in people’s minds. For those who do not work closely with these technolo… Read More
Enough is enough: How to intervene when you witness sexual harassment
“Knock it off, buddy” Brief statements like this one have incredible power. As a bystander witnessing a colleague being harassed, interjecting with a short comment like, “that’… Read More
New AME-developed Tool guides Junior Explorers through Risk Management
The AME Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) committee is completing the final touches on a new, online, interactive risk management tool developed for junior exploration comp… Read More
Relighting the Old Mill
With a thrilling sound and light show launching this summer, and additional exhibits in development, the Britannia Mine Museum is hoping to entice 110,000 annual visitors by 202… Read More
Campfire Tales Series
Assessing your Fitness as a Consultant | David Cooke
Nothing beats sitting around the campfire, sharing a laugh and a story with friends old and new. To harness this feeling – minus the smoke in your eyes! – we are launching a new… Read More
Help is on the Way
Update from the Notice of Work permitting workshop held at KEG
As part of AME’s ongoing efforts to streamline the process for obtaining a provincial Notice of Work (NoW) exploration permit, AME, together with the Ministry of Energy, Mines an… Read More
Back to the Bush
What should I pack for my mental health?
Field work is a vital part of mineral exploration. For some, it is the best part of being an explorer, an opportunity to travel to new places with spectacular scenery, make new frien… Read More
A Time of Reckoning
Examining our workplace culture in the wake of Me Too
Hollywood’s red carpet is a long way from a remote exploration camp in northern British Columbia in more ways than one, but a chain of events in 2016 emphasized an upsetting similar… Read More
What’s Coming Down the Pipe?
Our ability to measure the mineral and chemical composition of rocks while still in the ground is tantalizingly close, but just out of reach. When will routine downhole geochemis… Read More
Bridging Academia and Industry
MDRU director Craig Hart shapes the next generation of industry-ready mineral exploration graduates
When explorer Craig Hart saw the Mineral Deposit Research Unit (MDRU) director position advertised over a decade ago, he realised that he “couldn’t design a better situation.” A… Read More
Meet the Roundup Organizing Committee
How these hard-working volunteers shape the direction of AME's annual conference
Each year, AME’s annual Roundup conference attracts more than 6,000 attendees to Vancouver from across Canada and some 39 countries around the world. The masterminds behind thi… Read More
Ready, Set, Network!
How to make the most of your time at Roundup Networking is the fundamental reason to attend AME Mineral Exploration Roundup, said members surveyed by the NRG Research Group at Roun… Read More
Canadian Mining Industry needs almost 100,000 New Workers by 2029
Earlier this month, the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) published the 2019 Canadian Mining Labour Market Outlook. The report explores the human resources trend… Read More
Q&A: 2018 Gold Pan winner Royanna Wild on Outreach
2018 Gold Pan winner Royanna Wild encourages AME members to find a good fit and volunteer where you can
In just over a decade, geologist, draftsperson and volunteer, Royanna Wild, has connected with thousands of people as an ambassador for our industry. Her outreach efforts and “e… Read More
Meet the Awards Committee
How this AME group honours the most worthy members of our community
Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the mineral exploration industry? Meet the committee responsible for rec… Read More
Technology, Outreach, and Engagement: How do we find the right fit?
Virtual and augmented reality, digital twins, internet of things, blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning… bingo! Unless you have a reliable map of the digital… Read More
Is the Internet Killing That Ol’ Camp Vibe?
Wireless access to the internet is changing the way we live, work and play. With access to email, social media networks, and the wider internet at our fingertips, most of us spend ou… Read More
Talking safety with 2018 David Barr Award winner Janice Fingler
Accepting the David Barr Award at the AME Roundup 2018 awards gala in January, project leadership coach Janice Fingler said, “Small gestures from leaders are like ripples that qu… Read More
AME Members Make Good Neighbours
How New Gold’s Fire and Mine Rescue team helped neighboring communities during the 2017 wildfires.
When disaster strikes, the most immediate help will come from those around you – your neighbours. Connecting and building relationships with them today will mean a better… Read More
Exploring Stories
Talking safety with 2017 David Barr Award winner Janice Fingler
Accepting the David Barr Award at the AME Roundup 2018 awards gala in January, project leadership coach Janice Fingler said, “Small gestures from leaders are like ripples that qu… Read More
Speaking with One Voice on Notice of Work Exploration Permit Applications
At AME, we advocate for the interests of almost 5,000 members engaged in mineral exploration and development in British Columbia. Being an advocate involves listening to how mem… Read More
The Buzz Behind the Beard
Meet Andy Randell
Walking home along an Edinburgh street one dark, snowy November evening in 2006, geologist Andy Randell received a life-altering phone call. A colleague at a Vancouver-based ex… Read More
A Guide to a Good Roundup
Each January in Vancouver, AME’s Roundup conference welcomes thousands of people from around British Columbia, across Canada, and the world. For some, it’s a tradition, a chanc… Read More
1984-2018: The Evolution of AME’s Mineral Exploration Roundup
In January 2018, AME’s Mineral Exploration Roundup conference will celebrate its 35th year. The idea for the Roundup conference was born on a ferry in 1982 during a conversation b… Read More
Data Mining
Freely accessible earth science information boosts grassroots exploration
In November 2016, Parlane Resources announced the discovery of native copper on its Big Bear project located to the north of New Gold Inc.’s Blackwater deposit and east of New Gold… Read More
King Copper
From solar panels to electric cars, B.C.'s red metal is fuelling a global clean energy transition
Necessity is making strange bedfellows: organizations that champion sustainability and a greener future are supporting mining as a key factor in that new, low-carbon economy.… Read More
Lived Experiences
Brave explorers share their stories of overcoming addiction, trauma and bullying
Mental illness directly or indirectly affects all Canadians at one point in time or another. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, it is estimated that in any give… Read More
Are You Bushed?
Seven indicators you might have been in the field too long
Have you ever taken off your Carhartts after a long day in the field, fallen exhausted into your bunk in a tent in the middle of nowhere, only to find your field pants standing up by the… Read More
Helping Communities Address Mental Health
Practical ideas for exploration and mining companies working with remote communities
Unemployment, lack of education opportunities and poor living conditions are contributing to a state of emergency in remote Canadian communities, particularly for First Nati… Read More
A Leader Through Turbulent Times
Gavin Dirom reflects on the legacy of his eight years at the helm of AME
“As the new president and CEO of AME BC, my role is to help the industry navigate the challenges of turbulent times,” wrote Gavin Dirom in his first column in this magazine in spring o… Read More
Did You Know?
Thirty million artisanal and small-scale miners worldwide use rudimentary tools to extract gold, tin, tantalum, tungsten, coal, diamonds, coloured gemstones and more than 20… Read More
Artisanal Mining Explored
Canadian companies are using positive social and environmental change to tackle a global issue
El Alacran gold mine is nestled in the jungle-covered hills of northern Colombia. The name means “the scorpion” in Spanish, and is a cluster of over 140 informal mining sites, inte… Read More
Quesnel Terrane
A geological map of British Columbia looks a little like the end of a rainbow: bold swaths of colour run up and down the province, representing thick belts of rock pressed together b… Read More
Explorations in 3D
3D printing is transforming our industry
There are very few industries in which three-dimensional printing won’t impact the way we do business. Already, it is affecting the way we produce goods – everything from clothin… Read More
Young Drillers Speak Up
An evolving culture is saving lives and making the industry safer for everyone
On Brian Maeck’s first day as an underground drillers’ assistant, he was asked to hold a wrench onto a drill bit while the driller rotated the drill. If all went according to plan, th… Read More
Where Are They Now?
MDRU alumni celebrate 25 years of industry-driven research, training and development
MDRU graduates Leif Bailey, Dave Cox and Tim Wrighton, with researchers Murray Allan and Jim Mortensen, take a break at the Golden Saddle Saloon on Kinross’s White Gold property i… Read More
What is a risk assessment?
Five essential steps make all exploration projects safer
Everyday conversations about risks and hazards, together with a culture of ongoing learning, are key to saving lives and reducing incidents during mineral exploration project… Read More
Closing the Loop
How to reduce, reuse and recycle water at drill sites
Protecting waterways is a top priority and key requirement for any exploration drilling program. Each and every drill site needs to source large volumes of water to run the drill,… Read More
Magnify Your Data
Reusing and sharing baseline environmental data builds value
Community field trip to Pan American Silver Corp.’s Navidad project Collecting and analyzing environmental baseline data takes a significant investment of time and resources… Read More