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Vancouver, B.C. – October 23, 2025 – The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) has submitted a response to the B.C. government’s Ministry of Forests on the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) Transformation Project. The HCA is important to AME members because mineral exploration and development projects require archaeological permits, which fall under the Act.
The response welcomes recent information and clarifications from government, including extending the deadline for feedback to November 14, 2025. Following an AME statement in September, the response also outlines how changes as proposed would be detrimental to mineral exploration and recommends a pause on the process to create time to address fundamental issues with input from impacted sectors and groups. Please note that AME is still seeking feedback from members to make a final submission for the November 14 deadline.
Background and Member Input
HCA-related permit timelines and costs have been increasing, and modernization of the Act has been ongoing for several years. AME has heard from members that their needs, concerns, and ideas have not been adequately considered to date in this process. Other industry and community groups have voiced similar concerns.
AME’s latest response provides practical recommendations, raises valid questions highlighted by members, re-affirms three principles regarding HCA changes:
- Final authority must rest with the province.
- Science and facts are foundational.
- Enforcement must remain the sole responsibility of the province.
In September, the Ministry of Forests extended a deadline for feedback on the process to November 14, 2025. AME has been in regular contact with the B.C. government on the HCA, and continues to hear feedback from members through a series of Town Hall meetings – with more meetings to come in Cranbrook, Nanaimo, Vancouver and online.
AME also encourages members to provide their feedback directly to government, and to contact Vice President, Policy and Advocacy Jack Middleton (jmiddleton@amebc.ca) with questions, ideas or concerns.