AME: BC paralysis on DRIPA hurting mining future

British Columbia Premier David Eby’s announcement that the provincial government won’t be introducing amendments to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) this spring has drawn criticism from the Association for Mineral Exploration.

The delays risk stalling the federal government’s critical mineral and defence priorities, AME said late Tuesday in a statement. They also contradict Eby’s December commitment to substantially amend the legislation in the spring term.

Eby’s about-face comes as Canada’s federal government works to cut permitting times for mining developments to two years following the November creation of the Major Projects Office (MPO) by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Ottawa is seeking to accelerate critical mineral development to build supply chains outside Chinese control.

“Our members are deeply disappointed by the Premier’s announcement,” AME President and CEO Todd Stone said in the statement.

“AME has been supportive of the Premier’s ambitions for B.C. to become a critical minerals powerhouse, but the decision to punt this issue six months into the future will only frustrate those ambitions. This is a critical time for mineral explorers in our province who need to be focused on raising money and getting to work looking for minerals the world needs for tomorrow. All of this gets more challenging as uncertainty continues to grow due to the province’s indecision and paralysis.”

Temporary suspension

Eby earlier this month proposed a temporary suspension of parts of DRIPA after a court ruling found B.C.’s mineral claims system conflicts with it. The pause would apply only to sections of the law tied to legal risk raised by the December B.C. Court of Appeal decision in the Gitxaała First Nation case, the Premier told reporters April 2.

The appeal court found B.C.’s online mineral claims system, which allows prospectors to register claims on Crown land without prior consultation, was inconsistent with DRIPA. The decision heightened concern that other provincial laws could face similar challenges, complicating Eby’s broader push to accelerate mine development as part of his economic strategy.

While British Columbia has committed to engaging with First Nations, it should also consult with the public and industry, AME says.

“Any process on DRIPA needs to be consistent and transparent,” the association said. “After all, we are all in this together – the only way to succeed is if everyone is at the table.”

AME has previously urged the province to clear a backlog of minerals claims ahead of the 2026 summer season. Only 15% of applications have been processed within the government’s 90-to-120-day service standard, AME said March 25.