BC adds cash to boost falling minerals claims

British Columbia has committed an additional $3 million to bolster mineral claims after reporting the amount of new staking fell 29% last year. 

Under the initiative, which was announced on Monday at the AME Roundup 2026 held in Vancouver, the B.C. government will provide another $1 million for extra staff to support fixed permitting timelines. A further $2 million will support the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF) that began last March.

The industry spent $751 million on exploration last year, the fourth-highest since 1990 when adjusted for inflation, B.C. Premier David Eby said. But the number of claims staked compared with the seven-year average dropped 60%, according to information released by the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals this month. 

“Properly resourcing the MCCF is key to getting early-stage mineral exploration and prospecting back on track,” the provincial Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) said in a release at its annual conference. 

Claims decline

The MCCF has struggled to meet its service timeline of 90-120 days, currently averaging 127, the AME says.

“This is a key initiative to assist prospectors and junior miners,” AME president and CEO Todd Stone said in a release. “AME will continue to work with government to make sure that these dollars are put to use immediately and efficiently to help deliver on the government’s promise of fixed permitting timelines for all explorers.”

Earlier in the day, AME announced the launch of its Minerals for Tomorrow campaign to highlight the need for a strong mineral exploration sector to supply the future materials the world needs for everything from our devices to clean technology and defence.