Summary

• The Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals is introducing new fixed permitting timelines for mineral exploration
• Government investing additional $3 million to expedite authorizations
• Record investment in exploration sector in 2025

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Government is taking further steps to improve the permitting process for mineral exploration, after a historic year resulting in a record-breaking $751 million in exploration spending.

“We are fulfilling our pledge to introduce fixed permitting timelines for B.C.’s vital mineral exploration sector,” said Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals. “These timelines, backed by new investment, respond to industry feedback, while still protecting the environment and respecting reconciliation with First Nations, and will drive even further investment in the booming mining industry.”  

Beginning April 1, 2026, exploration permits will be processed within 40 to 140 days, depending on the complexity of the proposed activity. Factors will include consultation with First Nations, the size and complexity of the proposed project, the extent of ground disturbance and other variables. This will be achieved through a combination of improvements, including clear up-front guidance, systems changes and process transparency.

A new permit-escalation process will be introduced. If timelines are not reached, the application will be escalated to the chief permitting officer for a decision within 14 days. The ministry will receive a budget lift of $1 million to provide extra staff to support this initiative, and a further $2 million to support the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF).

"The Association for Mineral Exploration BC has been calling on government to allocate more capacity funding for permitting and the MCCF implementation,” said Todd Stone, president and CEO, Association for Mineral Exploration BC (AME). “To that end, we thank government for their provision of $3 million in additional funding for permitting. This is a key initiative to assist prospectors and junior miners in particular. 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."

Building on success

The new fixed permitting timelines fulfil a mandate commitment, and will build on efficiencies achieved to date, including:

• almost 35% more exploration permits issued in 2025 than in 2024 
• co-ordinated environmental assessment and permitting process, reducing timelines for major mines applications by 35%

“The Mining Association of B.C. is pleased to see government commit new resources to improve the implementation of the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework and reduce permitting timelines for the province’s exploration industry,” said Michael Goehring, president and CEO, Mining Association of B.C. “Today’s exploration and development projects are tomorrow’s mines, and both require accelerated permitting processes to seize the biggest jobs and economic opportunity British Columbians will see in a lifetime.”

Last year was B.C.’s strongest exploration year on record. Exploration spending grew 36% over 2024, for one of the strongest single-year jumps on record, and by nearly 64% over the long-term average from 2016-24. Exploration drilling totalled almost one million metres, an approximate increase of more than 300,000 metres from 2024.

Quick Facts:

• British Columbia is a global mining and critical minerals hub, with approximately 1,000 mining and mineral exploration and development companies headquartered in the region, 40,000 employees, including 4,100 in employed in mineral exploration at 18 operating mines, two world-class smelters and 280 mineral exploration projects.
• By 2040, new and expanded critical minerals projects could represent an investment opportunity of $44 billion. 
• With a rich geology, B.C. produces or has good potential to produce 22 of Canada’s 34 critical minerals  

Learn More: 

• Learn more about the new mineral and coal exploration permit aplications here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=E2389D4562AD4A1DAE773A45370D2B36