Mining
Application Documents
The following documents should be reviewed prior to submitting your application:
What is the Mining Development Program?
The Mining Program facilitates the responsible and efficient use of Crown land for surface activities associated with mining projects.
Crown land for exploration and development is available by application to the Province of British Columbia (the Province).
Through the Mining Development Program, Crown land is made available to qualified mining sector applicants.
Making Crown land available for sustainable economic growth and public benefit contributes value to the people and province of British Columbia.
This supports economic development in the province of British Columbia.
Who May Apply?
The application process is open to:
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are at least 19 years of age;
registered partnerships; and
- corporations that are registered in the Province of British Columbia or incorporated under the laws of Canada.
What Types of Crown Land Access are Available?
- In certain instances, Crown land may be sold at full market value. Sales are limited to non-shoreland and parcels suitable for registration in a Land Title Act subdivision plan, or surveyed to the satisfaction of Land Act survey standards.
- A lease is available for long-term use, up to 30 years, where substantial improvements are needed, or where definite boundaries are necessary to avoid conflicts.
- A license of occupation is normally issued for short-term use, up to 10 years, and for remote areas where precise tenure boundaries are not required.
- A permit (general license) is used to authorize short-term temporary use for exploration, access, or other short-term investigative purposes. A general licence is normally available for up to 1 year for investigative purposes.
- A statutory right of way may be issued over vacant Crown land or over existing Land Act tenure. A right of way within an existing Land Act tenure is normally issued for as long as is required.
Fees and Costs
Depending on the extent of the proposed use, an applicant can anticipate some or all of the following costs:
- an application fee as identified in the Land Tenure Purpose and Application Fees schedule (effective June 1, 2003).
- for primary recovery and enhancement facilities, annual rent is based on zone rates, with a minimum charge of $500 per tenure;
- for a licence of occupation or a lease, annual rent is 7.5% or 8% respectively of land value;
- for a general license, rent is $250.
What Special Requirements Must be Met?
- Approval of tenure for mining purposes may be subject to a provincial government review process (i.e. mine development review process).
- Applicants must provide an outline of intended operations indicating the proposed use, location and siting of improvements, timing of construction and proposed site reclamation and cleanup.
- A performance guarantee may be required. A blanket deposit option may be available if the applicant has more than one tenure.
- Tenure holders must purchase and maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 public liability insurance.
- A legal survey is normally required for leases and rights of way.
The most common reason for delay is submission of an incomplete application, which is then returned to the applicant. To ensure an application is processed as quickly as possible be sure to complete all the required documents as identified in the Requirements List/Management Plan  (22kb) and submit the required Application Fee.
If your application is accepted, you will be notified if Advertising (147kb) is required. Please wait for confirmation before advertising.
If you have questions regarding any aspect of the application process or any of the land tenure programs, contact
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