VANCOUVER, BC, March 20, 2025 /CNW/ - The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) has welcomed the publication of a new Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF) but has raised concerns with the development process and raised serious issues about the framework's detail.
The final framework was released today, with less than one week until the March 26, 2025, deadline for its implementation. The deadline was given by the Supreme Court of British Columbia in September 2023. The MCCF introduces Indigenous consultation to the claim staking process through a newly introduced application process prior to registration. Previously, consultation with Indigenous communities was not required until applying for permits to conduct mechanical mineral exploration work.
While AME is pleased to see a public document, it takes serious issue with the process used to create the framework, and with the framework itself. The framework proceeds without addressing key industry concerns of ensuring firm reliable timelines; and maintaining an applicant's confidentiality to ensure objective decisions are made. "AME understands the need to implement the framework by March 26," said Trish Jacques, Board Chair of the Association for Mineral Exploration (AME). "However, it has taken the full 18 months to get to this stage, and the government has only meaningfully engaged with industry in recent months. This has limited our association's ability to provide prudent feedback on some complex issues, although some progress has been made."
"AME does not endorse the final version of the framework as there are serious issues that have not been addressed. While we have provided consistent recommendations, the government has chosen to apply a political response in some of its decision-making. This is disappointing to AME and to the members we represent."
"The B.C. government has failed to meaningfully address two of our main concerns," added Jacques. "The decision to include applicants' names in the processes takes away confidentiality of the applicant and the protection of their intellectual property. This means the process cannot be guaranteed to be unbiased and objective. Also, the timelines in the framework are not firm and are only targets, despite promises by the Premier to guarantee permitting timelines.1 This leaves us with a wait-and-see approach to how government manages timelines in a manner that will support the mineral exploration industry. AME has been clear that timelines must be upheld to ensure investment in early-stage mineral exploration."