BC Mining Law Reform

Thanks to the Gitxaała and Ehattesaht First Nations for their leadership and resolve to push for reforms that will bring about changes that will benefit all British Columbians.

Read the full decision here: bit.ly/3XzQKpE
(11/11)

The Path Forward

Reconciliation is meaningless without action. B.C. must move forward on delivering a modern mineral tenure law that honours Indigenous jurisdiction and protects the land for generations to come. (10/11)

Today’s Decision: A Win for Indigenous Rights

Today the Court affirmed that Indigenous rights under Section 35 and UNDRIP are legally enforceable.

The path is now clear: B.C. must replace its colonial-era system with one built on consent, respect, and justice. (9/11)

Government Acknowledgement

Even before this appeal, B.C. admitted:
-The free-entry system violates s.35 of the Constitution
-The MTA must be modernized to be consistent with UNDRIP
This was an important shift — but meaningful change has not reached the ground. (8/11)

A new “framework” released in spring 2025 was only a stop-gap measure, and remains inconsistent with the right to free, prior and informed consent. The appeal sought to ensure protections under UNDRIP are legally enforceable, not optional. (7/11)

Why the Appeal?

Despite acknowledging the system violates Indigenous rights, the Province’s reforms have been slow and insufficient. (6/11)

Major Victory

In 2023, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled that sections of the MTA violated the Canadian Constitution, finding the Province has a duty to consult Indigenous Nations before granting mineral tenure claims and ordering the Province to provide for that consultation. (5/11)

Under the Province’s free-entry mining regime, claims could be staked in minutes — credit card, click, claim — creating a legal interest even on cultural and ecologically sensitive areas. (4/11)

How the System Worked

For over a century, B.C.’s Mineral Tenure Act treated Indigenous territories as if they were unoccupied land and privileged mineral exploration over virtually all other land uses. (3/11)

Where Did This Case Start?

Gitxaała & Ehattesaht First Nations — supported by several intervenors — challenged BC's free-entry mining regime, where anyone could register a mineral claim online with no notice, no consultation, and no consent from Indigenous Nations. (2/11)

A Landmark Win for Indigenous Jurisdiction

Today the Court of Appeal confirms: B.C. needs to bring its colonial-era mineral staking system into the 21st century. Here's more on the case and what this decision means... (1/11)

Eskay Creek mine faces make-or-break vote | The Narwhal Skeena Resources’ Eskay Creek mine in northern B.C. hinges on an upcoming vote by the Tahltan Central Government’s board

On Dec. 13, Tahltan members plan to vote on an impact benefit agreement for Eskay Creek mine, which promises economic benefits for the nation over a projected 12-year lifespan. But some worry about longer-lasting environmental risks, writes @sevawood.bsky.social: thenarwhal.ca/eskay-creek-...

Carney's 'Critical Conservation Corridor' came out of nowhere. What is it? The announcement of a protected area in northwest BC that would be tied to huge new mining and infrastructure project caught many by surprise — including the project’s own proponents.

To learn more about what this is and why it matters, check out this in-depth analysis on the “Northwest Critical Conservation Corridor” in The National Observer: bit.ly/3XhVVue (7/7)

– creating significant conservation areas while considering new mines where appropriate and creating more electric power infrastructure. (6/7)

While BC, the federal government and First Nations signed a Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation in 2023, the federal government seems to have recently recognized this opportunity in the northwest as “critical” – (5/7)

The outcome of this process has the potential to create large protected areas while also providing greater certainty for the mining sector, investors, First Nations and communities alike. (4/7)

Since then, the province and First Nations have started engaging with industry, conservation organizations, wilderness tourism operators, guide outfitters, and other stakeholders to share values and interests in the planning areas. (3/7)

Back in June, the province announced that it would be moving forward with land-use planning in northwestern B.C. in partnership with the Tahltan, Taku River Tlingit, Kaska Dena, Gitanyow and Nisga’a Nations. (2/7)

Why the “Northwest Critical Conservation Corridor” matters

This month, the federal government officially referred the “Northwest Critical Conservation Corridor” to the newly formed Major Projects Office. But what does it all mean? (1/7)

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(8/8)

More Than Policy

Mining reform reflects our values — peace, accountability, sustainability, and respect for Indigenous rights.

B.C. can lead with integrity by ensuring our minerals support peace and justice, not conflict. (7/8)

What Responsible Mining Requires

• End-use transparency
• Full environmental assessment
• Public participation
• Free, Prior & Informed Indigenous Consent
• Long-term monitoring
• Ethical oversight of foreign investment
(6/8)

Why It Matters

Without proper oversight, we have no way of knowing whether minerals from B.C. are supporting clean energy solutions — like school bus batteries — or contributing to weapons systems.

That uncertainty is exactly why transparency is essential. (5/8)

A Transparency Gap

B.C. currently has no system to track where extracted minerals end up — whether in solar panels, EV batteries, or weapons systems.

Mining-impacted communities are left without clear answers about who benefits from this activity. (4/8)

A Wake-Up Call

A recent report by @thetyee.ca revealed that the U.S. Department of War has financially backed a B.C.-based mining company.

This raises questions about who benefits from B.C.’s resources. (3/8)

A Global Shift

Minerals like copper and nickel are central to the energy transition. Increasingly, there is also rising demand for these same materials for weapons and military applications, creating a dual use tension.

Their future shapes our future. (2/8)

🧵 Recap: Our November Newsletter — From Remembrance to Responsibility

Why This Matters: After Remembrance Day, we’re reminded that honouring the past means taking responsibility for the future — including how we steward B.C.’s critical minerals. (1/8)

There's big money in the Red Chris mine expansion in northwest B.C. — but at what cost? | CBC News The Red Chris mine is part of Prime Minister Mark Carney's list of "nation-building" projects he wants to fast track. As CBC's Lyndsay Duncombe explains, the project is still not a done deal.

Canada’s critical minerals strategy can’t come at any cost—mining must be responsible, protect communities and the environment, and truly power a clean energy future.

More on Red Chris from @CBCTheNational ➡️ bit.ly/4nYowQ2
(7/7)

✅ Oversight is key to balance:

-Economic growth
-Environmental protection
-Indigenous consent & partnership
-Worker safety

Rushing projects without strong laws risks undermining all of these. (6/7)

🌱 Strong mining laws matter.

They ensure minerals are sustainably sourced, traceable, and powering a low-carbon future—not military applications. (5/7)