LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — BC amendment fails prospector

Last year, British Columbia’s Ministry of Energy and Mines, under Dan Miller, enacted two pieces of legislation purported to encourage mining activity in the province and facilitate the process for obtaining permits for mineral exploration. Both are counterproductive, and I am particularly critical of one: the Mining Rights Amendment Act.

The preamble to this Act bears a number of “whereases.” The first of these states that the mining industry is important to the socio-economic interests of British Columbia. That’s true.

The second states that it is in the best interests of the province that the mining industry be economically viable and globally competitive. This is also true.

I also have no problem with the third, which states that British Columbian mining companies and their employees are recognized in Canada and throughout the world for their expertise in exploration, engineering operation and environmental practices.

However, I have reason to question the fourth “whereas”, which states that the government encourages responsible exploration for, and development and operation of, mines in British Columbia.

From my own bitter experience, I have found the remainder of the preamble to this piece of legislation, which asserts a commitment to “a timely and efficient approval process” and recognition of “the rights of persons to obtain access to their mineral tenures,” to be outright subterfuge and deception. Without being given a valid reason, I have been denied access to my mineral tenure to carry out an exploration project, and I have ample documentation to prove it.

I contend that this government is a liar.

Walter Guppy

Tofino, B.C.