AME Summer Engagement Tour
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, K… Read More
BHP Xplor 2025 Information Session
Funding for early-stage exploration is a huge challenge for the mining sector, which is facing a severe discovery deficit at precisely the time we need to find more metals to feed the energy transition. BHP’s answer to this acute challenge is BHP Xplor, a global accelerator program targeting innovative, early-stage mineral exploration companies looking for the critical resources necessary to drive the energy transition.
September 24 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am PDT Date: Tuesday, September 24 | 10 AM – 11 AM PST All welcome to attend — registration required. Funding for early-stage exploratio… Read More
105 Years of Learning
For 105 years, the Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) and its predecessors have been offering learning opportunities to the public and our members. It was in 1918 that the… Read More
AME Podcast: Exploration Matters Episode 10
Episode 10 of the AME Podcast: Exploration Matters is sponsored by: Show Notes Dec 15, 2022 Episode 10 was produced on Dec 15, 2022, on the traditional, unceded territories of the x… Read More
AME Podcast: Exploration Matters Episode 9
Episode 9 of the AME Podcast: Exploration Matters is sponsored by: Show Notes Oct 17, 2022 Episode nine was produced on October 17, 2022, on the traditional, unceded territories o… Read More
AME Podcast: Exploration Matters Episode 8
Episode 8 of the AME Podcast: Exploration Matters is sponsored by: Show Notes Sept 22, 2022 Episode eight was produced on Sep 22, 2022, on the traditional, unceded territories of t… Read More
AME Podcast: Exploration Matters Episode 7
Episode 7 of the AME Podcast: Exploration Matters is sponsored by: Show Notes Sep 1, 2022 Thanks for listening to #ExplorationMatters, the podcast for people interested in matte… Read More
AME Podcast: Exploration Matters Episode 6
Episode 6 of the AME Podcast: Exploration Matters is sponsored by: Show Notes Aug 24, 2022 Thanks for listening to #ExplorationMatters, the podcast for people interested in matt… Read More
AME Podcast: Exploration Matters Episode 5
Episode 5 of the AME Podcast: Exploration Matters is sponsored by: Show Notes Aug 10, 2022 Thanks for listening to #ExplorationMatters, the podcast for people interested in matt… Read More
AME Podcast: Exploration Matters Episode 4
Episode 4 of the AME Podcast: Exploration Matters is sponsored by: Show Notes July 29, 2022 Thanks for listening to #ExplorationMatters, the podcast for people interested in mat… Read More
AME Podcast: Exploration Matters Episode 3
Show Notes July 14, 2022 Thanks for listening to #ExplorationMatters, the podcast for people interested in matters related to mineral exploration and why exploration matters.… 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
AME Podcast: Exploration Matters Episode 1
Episode 1 of the AME Podcast: Exploration Matters is sponsored by: Show Notes June 21, 2022 Thanks for listening to #ExplorationMatters, the podcast for people interested in mat… Read More
Engaging the Next Generation of Mineral Explorers
A successful pilot program showed high school students what a career in mineral exploration looks like “in the field” while getting their hands and boots dirty on an active explor… Read More
Exploration in British Columbia: 2021 in Review
By Gordon Clarke, Bruce Northcote, Nate L. Corcoran, Kirk Hancock, Neil Wildgust, and Yao Cui | British Columbia Geological Survey, Ministry Of Energy, Mines And Low Carbon Inno… Read More
Fact or Fiction: Which tales do your surficial samples tell?
David Sacco | Courtesy David Sacco Every surficial sample, be it soil, surface sediment or vegetation, tells a story. The challenge in mineral exploration is knowing whether tha… Read More
Exploration in British Columbia
2020 in Review
MAIN MAP: B.C. MINISTRY OF ENERGY, MINES AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES / CARTOGRAPHY: HOLLY ARNOLD The year 2020 will be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the pandemic, ex… Read More
An Analytical Mindset
A sharp eye and financial acumen allowed Michael Gray to identify winners
Michael Gray recalls one of his first site visits as a mining analyst. It was mid-2005 and Virginia Gold was pulling high-grade gold over significant widths from the Éléonore proj… 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
Exploration in British Columbia
2019 in review
MAIN MAP: B.C. MINISTRY OF ENERGY, MINES AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES / CARTOGRAPHY: HOLLY ARNOLD Petroleum Resources Mineral Development Office (British]() Preliminary reports… Read More
Home-Grown High Tech Advancing Mineral Exploration in B.C.
Latest digital technologies let juniors meet exploration challenges
Mineral exploration and mining in British Columbia faces many challenges today, such as declining ore grades, difficulty in obtaining operating licenses and environmental an… Read More
Chair’s Message
We are approaching the time of year when explorers from all over our province (and all over the planet!) gather in the global mineral exploration and mining hub of Vancouver. Round… Read More
Sharing Our Stories
More Than Explorers is bringing the mineral exploration lifestyle to new audiences
Few people outside the mining and mineral exploration industry know the processes, the people, the history or the complexity of finding and extracting the minerals and metals th… Read More
#AMEINTHEFIELD 2019
Photo Contest Submission Deadline: September 30 For the past 17 years, AME has sought the best photographs of mineral explorers in action – in B.C. and around the world. Once again… Read More
Chair’s Message
Kendra Johnston | Chair of the Board of Directors With summer upon us, I reflect on my first five months as the chair of AME’s Board of Directors and am proud of the team’s accomplishm… Read More
President & CEO’s Message
Edie Thome | President & CEO Thanks to those of you who attended and helped make our 36th annual AME Roundup 2019 conference a great success! The hard work and dedication of our v… Read More
Exploration in British Columbia
2018 in review
Preliminary reports from the Ministry of Energy, Mines]() and Petroleum Resources Mineral Development Office (British Columbia Geological Survey) and regional geologists i… Read More
AME 2018/2019 Work Plan
Directed by the 2018-2019 Strategic Plan & Objectives AME is the lead association for the mineral exploration and development industry based in British Columbia. Establis… Read More
Exploration in Action
AME launches its 2018 photo contest
Anatole Tuzlak For the past 15 years, AME has sought the best photographs of mineral explorers in action, in B.C. and around the world. We would like you to send your best photos from… 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
Mike vs. Goliath
A career in exploration and mining has taught Mike Cathro to be fearless
Mike Cathro literally grew up in mining camps. Both his parents worked in mining – his mom as a nurse and his dad, Bob, was a well-known exploration geologist and mining industry lea… Read More
Granite Creek Gold Rush
From boom to bust in the Similkameen
Granite Creek circa 1886. The cabin of Frenchy, a Chinese immigrant and well-known placer miner, is in the foreground. Placer gold was supposedly first discovered in the Similka… Read More
Exploration in British Columbia
2017 in Review
Preliminary reports from Ministry of Energy and Mines and Petroleum Resources regional geologists and the Mineral Development Office indicate exploration activity in 2017 ha… 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
Chair’s Message
With commodity prices rising, investment and optimism in B.C.’s mineral exploration sector rebounded in 2017. While companies with new grassroots discoveries and those with d… Read More
BC Wildfire Update
Time Extensions for Registering Exploration and Development Work on Mineral Title
Notice to Free Miners from Mark Messmer, Chief Gold Commissioner, Mineral Titles Branch If you are unable to perform exploration and development on your title as a consequence of… Read More
Staying Connected
Ryan Weston, VP exploration for Noront Resources, in the field. | COURTESY RYAN WESTON “If I could find something up here, I could sleep, I could forget about her. If I can only find a… 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
Chair’s Message
As I write, the 2017 summer field season is in full swing, and the rebound from a five-year drought in financing for mineral exploration is building momentum. Investment in 2017 ha… Read More
Social Chain of Custody
Project success relies on ensuring social performance throughout the exploration phase
“Social chain of custody” is a term that refers to documenting or creating a paper trail of meetings, dialogue and agreements of any form (verbal or written) with local communitie… Read More
Honouring Our Own
The AME Awards celebrate the industry's best and brightest
AME honoured its 2016 award recipients on January 25 during the AME Roundup 2017 conference. This marks the 40th year that AME has celebrated the important achievements made by le… Read More
Bill Threlkeld
The more he sees, the more it looks the same
If finding a gold deposit is like finding a needle in a haystack, then starting the search at an old gold mine is like removing the hay from the equation. “A lot of mines have been found… Read More
President & CEO’s Message
Successful exploration GAVIN C. DIROM | President & CEO As an advocacy organization, an important role for AME is to protect and promote the mineral exploration and developm… Read More
Exploration in British Columbia
2016 in Review
Preliminary reports from regional geologists with the B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines indicate exploration activity in 2016 steadied or recovered slightly, stabilizing a do… Read More
President & CEO’s Message
GAVIN C. DIROM | President & CEO The winter issue of AME’s Mineral Exploration magazine is always a highlight. Along with an extensive preview of AME’s Roundup 2017 conferenc… Read More
Chair’s Message
Welcome to the 2016 winter edition of Mineral Exploration magazine. Mineral exploration is the process of finding commercially viable concentrations of minerals to mine. But a… Read More
President & CEO’s Message
As fall approaches, many AME members have experienced renewed investor confidence and interest in the mineral exploration and development industry. But after many years weath… Read More
Lights, Camera, Action!
AME launches its 2016 photo contest
2016 Winner: Matt Fraser Over the past 13 years, AME’s photo contest has resulted in some stunning photographs – and we want to see more. Whether you are exploring in B.C. or around t… Read More
President & CEO’s Message
A sense of realistic and cautious optimism infuses many conversations these days. Although too early to be certain, there are some encouraging signs that perhaps the worst of the… Read More
A Tale of Two Mines
Exploration, discovery, and development of Babine copper-gold deposits
Drill rig on the move, Copper Island, summer 1929. As early as 1898, pioneer prospectors trudged across the Bulkley Valley in west-central British Columbia. This group included… Read More
Mark Your Calendar
Building relationships by sharing knowledge
It is unquestionable that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is as valuable to developing a successful deposit as a drill hole. CSR enables good corporate governance and est… Read More
Into the Valley of the Kings
B.C.'s newest mine gets the go-ahead, thanks to Robert Quartermain's fortitude
A small valley in the northern B.C. Coast Mountains may be a world away from Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. But take away the snow and add a treasure trove of riches, and it’s easy to see w… Read More
Exploration in British Columbia
2015 in Review
Regions monitored by regional geologists from the Ministry of Energy and Mines. Preliminary reports from regional geologists deployed across British Columbia by the Ministry… Read More
President & CEO’s Message
It’s true that the global mineral exploration and development industry has been experiencing a significant downturn. Despite the challenges this presents, the industry – much… Read More
Tales in an Exploration Vein
From memoirs to a novel spanning three generations of explorers and promoters, AME BC Life Members are prolific writers
The Nisselinka Claims The Nisselinka Claims, Robert Longe’s novel set in British Columbia, was released in spring 2015. Available from friesenpress.com. Robert LongeVictori… Read More
President & CEO’s Message
Summer marks the halfway point of the calendar year, and, at AME BC, it marks the halfway point of the Association’s 2013-2017 Strategic Plan and Objectives, the guiding-princip… Read More
Chair’s Message
The Xinhua News Agency based in China recently released two photos of children at a community fair watching a simulated volcanic eruption and learning about laboratory techniqu… Read More
Aboriginal Engagement
Two made-in-B.C. examples of how to do it right
Michael Peeman of the Ulkatcho First Nation working at the Blackwater project core shack. Realizing they can benefit from partnering with First Nations, many mineral explorati… Read More
2014 AME BC Awards
The mineral exploration industry honours its own
Every January, AME BC celebrates the important achievements made by leaders in the mineral exploration industry here in B.C., throughout Canada and around the world. The Associ… Read More
No Poor Man’s Country
A look back at prospecting and mining in the Smithers area
What a view: Atholl Sutherland Brown overlooking the Seven Sisters and Skeena River from near the Victoria mine, Hazelton. When the Collins Overland Telegraph crews came throug… Read More
Exploration and Development in B.C.
2014 in Review
Preliminary reports from regional geologists deployed across the province by the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines indicate that exploration slowed in 2014, conti… 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
Red Mountain
IDM Mining announces positive exploration results
Vancouver-based IDM Mining Ltd. recently announced surface sampling results from its Red Mountain underground gold project in northwestern British Columbia. IDM began surfa… Read More
David McLelland
A man of principle
AME BC chair David McLelland has clarity about the activities that are important in his life, but his true strength lies in his approach: “I believe most people have principles, bu… Read More
President & CEO’s Message
Traditionally, summer is the most active exploration time for our members, whether they are drilling targets at advanced projects, taking rock samples or flying airborne geoph… Read More
Chair’s Message
Recent announcements have seen major B.C. mineral and coal producers scale back their workforces. At the same time, for example, demand for coal is expected to increase 50 per cen… Read More
Uranium City
The historic beaverlodge uranium rush led to the boom - and bust - of Saskatchewan's Uranium City
Before Uranium City, the Eldorado town site served the Beaverlodge staking rush and the early years of the uranium boom. Uranium became a strategically important commodity in 19… Read More
Safety First, Year after Year
BHP Billiton sets a safe example for potash exploration
Receiving a health and safety award is an achievement for any mineral exploration company, but being a recipient two years in a row is doubly rewarding. BHP Billiton Canada Inc. wa… Read More
Nunavut the Next Saskatchewan
Thanks to unrivalled uranium deposits and similar government policies, Nunavut is poised for Saskatchewan-style success
Summer at Kivalliq Energy Corporation’s Nutaaq camp at the Angilak property. Nunavut and Saskatchewan have more in common than exceptional and diverse mineral potential. They… Read More
Rich Saskatchewan Soil
B.C. juniors are heading east to explore for minerals in wheat province
Expanding horizons: Mineral exploration spending in Saskatchewan is well above historic levels – over $2.7 billion has been spent on exploration and evaluation programs in the… Read More
2013 AME BC Awards
AME BC honoured its 2013 award recipients on January 29 at Mineral Exploration Roundup 2014. Every January, the Association celebrates the important achievements made by leade… Read More
President & CEO’s Message
As a result of having virtually no access to venture capital, the strength, resiliency and experience of the industry were put to the test in 2013. And not surprisingly, we rose to t… Read More
The Art of Exploration
Mineral exploration is predicated on science and the laws of nature, but it's also a visually driven quest for rare anomalies in obscure domains, which makes it an art as well
Exploring the Bunster Plateau, British Columbia by Ian Semple When it comes to the fine arts, the myth persists that scientists are too rational to make that leap, despite obvious… Read More
B.C. Exploration & Development
2013 in review
Operating Mines and Selected Major Exploration projects in British Columbia 2013 Exploration activity in British Columbia was predictably off the peak seen in 2012, when junio… Read More