Exploration

Last updated on January 25, 2024

Many exploration activities, including mechanical disturbance or ground excavation, require a permit under the Mines Act.

Mechanized work includes any disturbance or excavation of the ground, and all activities including exploratory drilling, excavation, processing, concentrating, waste disposal and site reclamation. Proponents should reach out to a Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI) Regional Office to introduce their project and discuss required authorizations.

Applications for exploration permits are known as Notices of Work (NoW) applications. There are two types of NoW authorizations:

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Site-specific authorization

Site-specific authorization allows applicants to carry out proposed exploration activities over a period of one to five years. Applicants must identify the exact locations, proposed disturbance and timber cutting for each proposed activity over the entire authorization period. At the end of each year, proponents are required to submit an annual summary outlining the activities (including reclamation) completed during that year. If the proposed activities or locations change, the proponent will need to obtain a permit amendment.

Multi-year area-based (MYAB) authorization

Multi-year area-based (MYAB) authorization allows proponents to move exploration activities within a certain overall work area. Proponents have the flexibility to execute exploration programs over the entire area and through the life cycle of the authorization as field results and market conditions dictate.

For the first year, activities, locations, proposed disturbances and timber cutting must be identified in a Year 1 Mine Plan with consistent maps (showing the overall work area), and reclamation costs for this work. For the subsequent years of the authorization, the NoW application does not require exact locations, disturbances and timber volumes to be mapped, but the work proposed to be completed in those years must be described in the NOW application in sufficient detail for the mines inspector and reviewers to understand. While applicants do not need to be certain of the precise locations of activities beyond Year 1, there should be certainty of the geographic area within which all future work will fall (if it changes later on, a permit amendment will be required).

Provincial staff authorize annual activities on the site by reviewing and accepting a MYAB Work Program Annual Update that outlines planned activities for the coming year and an Annual Summary of Exploration Activities (ASEA) that outlines the activities conducted over the previous year.

Learn more:

Notice of Work Process

NoW applications are made through FrontCounter BC and are administered by Regional EMLI Offices. After initial intake and screening, the application undergoes technical review and referred to Indigenous Nations. An EMLI mine inspector, with delegated authority from the Chief Permitting Officer, will complete their review and make a decision on whether to authorize the proposed activities, and if so, what permit conditions may be appropriate including reclamation bonding.

Mineral Exploration Application Intake Schedule

Working closely with AME, EMLI is piloting a Notice of Work intake batching process for new Mineral Exploration applications. The batching process will bring more certainty regarding when applications may be reviewed and feedback provided, as well as when applications will be sent out for referral to other agencies and to Indigenous nations for consultation.

Mineral Exploration Notice of Work (NoW) applications received by FrontCounter BC by the dates below will be assessed prior to the next intake date. For example, applications submitted on or before September 1 will be assessed by September 30. Applications received after September 1 will be reviewed from October 1 to October 31.

It is anticipated that this intake batching process will continue through to Summer 2024, with the following intake dates. Note that the batching periods vary from one to three months, depending on the time of year.

September 1, 2023
October 1, 2023
November 1, 2023
December 1, 2023
February 1, 2023
April 1, 2024
June 1, 2024
September 1, 2024

For more information, please see the AME Policy Update regarding this Notice of Work Intake Schedule

Exceptions

Proposed exploration programs that fall within an existing mine area may be deemed authorized under the Mines Act Permit Regulation. Proponents must notify EMLI through a Notice of Deemed Authorization.

Additionally, the following non-invasive exploration activities may not require a permit. Proponents should confirm with EMLI staff whether their specific project requires a Mines Act permit.

Airborne geophysical surveying
Baseline data acquisition, such as mapping, taking photos, and measuring water quality
Ground geophysical surveying without the use of exposed electrodes
Establishment of grid lines that does not require the felling of trees. If tree felling and/or vegetation disturbance is proposed, an authorization under the Forest Act may be required
Geological and geochemical (soil or rock) sampling conducted using hand-held tools
Pitting, trenching, drilling, or channel cutting using hand-held tools, consistent with the following:
- no use of explosives or expanding grout
- the total volume of each pit or trench does not exceed 3 cubic metres in volume
- each pit or trench does not exceed 1.2 metres in depth
- the cumulative total of all un-reclaimed pits and/or trenches does not exceed five pits and/or trenches at any one time
- not conducted within a stream and/or the riparian setback

Northern Caribou Guidance

Read the Companion

Read the Mineral and Coal Exploration Notice of Work Application Companion (PDF, 14MB) to learn how to prepare for, complete, and submit applications for exploration programs.

A permit under the Mines Act is required for exploration activities involving mechanical disturbance (e.g., drilling).

The application is called a “Notice of Work” (NoW).

Placer Documents

Contact information

Exploration permits are managed by mining regional offices located in Victoria, Kamloops, Cranbrook, Prince George, and Smithers.

Southwest
SouthwestMinesDivision@gov.bc.ca

South Central
MMD-Kamloops@gov.bc.ca

Southeast
MMD-Cranbrook@gov.bc.ca

Northeast/Central
MMD-PrinceGeorge@gov.bc.ca

Northwest
MMD-Smithers@gov.bc.ca

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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