AME-ing for a name change

The BC & Yukon Chamber of Mines (BCYCM) is now the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC).

The BCYCM board of directors recently made the announcement, noting the new name more “accurately reflects the association’s membership and its role as the association representing the interests of the mineral exploration community exploring or based in B.C.”

The Chamber’s 3,000 individual and corporate members have approved the change.

“BC & Yukon Chamber of Mines was a name that served us well for decades, but no longer represents the association’s membership or activities,” says David Caulfield, president of AME BC. “The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia better describes the scope of the association, the companies and people we serve, and our leadership position in the mineral exploration industry.”

Caulfied says dropping Yukon from the title was necessary on a number of fronts.

“First of all, our organization does not officially represent Yukon explorationists, as there is a local association, the Yukon Chamber of Mines, with that mandate,” Caulfield explains. “Finally, our membership’s interests are mainly focused on mineral exploration and not mining, as our former name implied.”

AME BC has evolved through its 94-year history. The association was established in 1912 as the Vancouver Mining Club, changing its name later that year to the Vancouver Chamber of Mines. In 1921, it became the British Columbia Chamber of Mines, and was renamed the British Columbia & Yukon Chamber of Mines in 1945.

AME BC’s new logo will be unveiled on January 23, 2006, during the opening ceremonies of the 23rd annual Mineral Exploration Roundup Conference at the Westin Bayshore Hotel in Vancouver.