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Placer permit applications

Last updated on March 28, 2025

Most placer development activities require a permit under the Mines Act. 

A Mines Act permit must be in place before any work in, on, or about a mine can occur.

Mechanized work includes any disturbance or excavation of the ground:

  • Exploratory drilling
  • Excavation
  • Trenching
  • Waste disposal
  • Site reclamation

On this page

Legislation

Additional mining legislation

Key legislation and regulations for mineral exploration and mining in B.C.

​Guidance documents

Guides, brochures, policies and best management documents specific to the authorization type can be found on the Mining guidance document page.

Did you know?

The BC Placer Mining Best Management Practices Technical Guide (PDF, 1MB) is designed to provide placer mine operators with legislative and technical information to ensure their operations are safe, environmentally responsible, and respectful of other values on the land.

Regional mine permitting

Notice of Work applications

Applications for placer resource development permits under section 10 of the Mines Act are known as Notices of Work (NoW) applications. 

 

Exceptions

The following non-invasive exploration activities may not require a permit, such as: 

  • Hand-panning with a shovel and a pan only, consistent with the following:
    • Material below the high-water mark is processed in the watercourse and is not removed from the riparian setback
    • Activities that occur in or about streams occur in accordance with regional terms and conditions and timing windows
  • Other hand-conducted exploration activities, consistent with the following:
    • All activity is limited to dry, non-vegetated portions of gravel bars and/or areas outside of the riparian setback (aside from a narrow foot path to access areas outside of the riparian setback – see “Figure 2” for reference) that does not disturb vegetation, with no puddles present at the time of excavation
    • The total volume of each pit or trench does not exceed 3 cubic metres
    • 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 5 pits and/or trenches at any one time
    • Excavated material from a gravel bar is processed within the watercourse and is not transported away from the gravel bar for processing
    • Sluice boxes, high bankers, jig/shaker tables, settling ponds, tailings piles, or any holes are not located within a riparian setback
    • Sluice boxes, high bankers or jig/shaker tables are not used within the flowing water of any watercourse
    • Sluice boxes or high bankers are readily moved by hand and do not contain any moving parts driven by mechanical means, with the exception of a small portable water pump
    • There is no use of mechanically-powered suction dredging and/or hand- or mechanically-powered “sniping” equipment in any watercourse
    • There is no use of hydraulic mining (“hydraulicing”) equipment

For more information see Information Update 38 (PDF, 462KB).

There are two types of NoW authorizations:

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Exploration authorization

Exploration authorization allows applicants to carry out proposed placer 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.

 

Production authorization

Production authorization allows applicants to carry out proposed placer activities over the life of mine.

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.

 

Notice of Work process

Applicant responsibilities

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Gather information

Submitting an application and understanding operational requirements can be complex.

Take the time to review handbooks, guidance documents, policies and best practices.

Early engagement with First Nations is beneficial for industry in developing and maintaining strong relationships with Indigenous nations and may support future consultation processes by the province. 

Understand other provincial, federal or local legislation that may require authorizations. This includes other tenure holders with interests in the land base. Use the  tools available to determine overlaps.

 

Submit application

Apply for or amend a section 10 permit under the Mines Act:

A Notice of Work application includes a mine plan, maps, a reclamation plan and mine closure plans.

What's next? Review the proponents guide to the Notice of Work application process. 

 

Sign up for MineSpace

MineSpace is an application for industry to manage applications, view permits and inspection history, and submit reports.

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Ministry staff responsibilities

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Intake and review

Application is reviewed and screened for completeness.

Application undergoes technical review by the permitting inspector:

 

Consultation and referral

Consultation of the application with First Nations occurs.

Referral to other ministries, natural resource authorization holders and/or the public.

 

Public engagement

Application may include public engagement.

 

Recommendations

Final review of the application, consultation and referral information, and engagement with the proponent for any changes required.

 

Decision

Decision is made whether to authorize proposed activities.

  • Permit issued with a work authorization and conditions 
  • Requirement for annual report
  • Mine inspector has delegated authority from the Chief Permitting Officer
  • Documented in MineSpace

 

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Contact information

Mines contact information:

  • Regional mines offices
  • Mines incident reporting
  • Mines inquiries and complaints
  • Geological survey
  • Major mines
  • Mine health and safety
  • Mines auditing
  • Mineral titles