Engagement approach
Mineral Tenure Act Reform: Alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The work to reform the Mineral Tenure Act (MTA) will be undertaken consistent with the requirement under section 3 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act), in consultation and cooperation with First Nations in B.C., to take all measures necessary to ensure that provincial laws are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration).
Reforming the MTA to align with the UN Declaration is identified in Action 2.14 of the 2022 Declaration Act Action Plan as a priority goal to be achieved within five years of the release of the Action plan.
The UN Declaration recognizes rights that constitute the minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of Indigenous peoples, and acts as a framework for reconciliation.
New Mineral Exploration Framework
Who will we consult and engage?
First Nation Rights Holders and First Nations Organizations including:
- First Nations in B.C.
- Modern Treaty Nations
- First Nations organizations
- First Nations Leadership Council
- First Nations Energy and Mining Council
Interested groups including:
- Industry associations
- Free miner certificate holders
- Environmental groups
- Local governments
- The public
How will we consult and engage?
Consultation and cooperation
- Direct engagement with First Nations of B.C.
- Bilateral discussions as requested (First Nations-B.C.)
- First Nations Technical Advisory Group*
Engagement
- Operational Effectiveness Table for industry*
- Free miner certificate holders input
- Focus groups for interested groups
- Engage BC website
*Technical tables
What are the stages of the process?
When
- March – April 2024
What
- Establish Consultation and Cooperation Plan
- Establish Public Engagement Plan
When
- Summer – Fall 2024* & Winter 2024 – Spring 2025
What
- Ministry provides context, background and key questions
- Rights holders and interested groups provide information to support policy work
*Engagement paused during election period
When
- Spring 2025 – Summer 2026
What
- Ministry identifies, considers and confirms options for key components of new mineral exploration framework
- Rights holders and interested groups provide submissions to inform policy approaches and operational and system needs
- This policy development is a collaborative and iterative process
When
- Target: Fall 2026
What
- Ministry introduces new legislation to implement a new mineral exploration framework
When
- Starting Winter 2026
What
- Undertake work on any regulations, operational and system changes as needed
- New mineral exploration framework comes into force
