Mineral Exploration

Fall 20 1 6 5 The Water Sustainability Act Water is indispensable for mineral exploration, from use in drilling to uses in camps. However, water use is not constant – either in terms of duration or geography – as it is generally limited to areas of active drilling programs. Since its use in these mineral- exploration-related activities has typically been spread over time and distance, particularly in remote areas, industry's use has been understated – until now. In British Columbia, for example, the Water Sustainability Act (WSA) was brought into force in February 2016 along with a number of supporting regulations. The WSA replaces the former Water Act, which applied largely to permanent, intensive uses of water. Under the new act, a water licence or use approval is required for most uses of water, whether the water is diverted from a stream or an aquifer. However, the WSA does allow some exemptions for certain uses of water. AME has been actively working with government o•icials across the province to define exemptions for mineral explorers in B.C. for 2016 and into the future. Further to these collaborative discussions with government, mineral explorers have been exempt from the requirement to obtain a water use permit for 2016. The uses of water vary for AME's close to 5,000 members, and AME is evaluating water use and the Water Sustainability Act through the lenses of several of its volunteer committees – namely Aboriginal Relations; Environment, Health and Safety; Integrated Social Responsibility; and Land Access and Use. If you have information on water use that might help inform AME's e•orts, contact Rick Conte, AME's executive vice-president, at rconte@amebc.ca or 604.630.3926 to share your experiences, concerns and recommendations about using water at your mineral exploration sites in B.C. Spotlight On H 2 O the success of mineral exploration and development in B.C. and Canada. For more information on building successful agreements and recommended practices, please see AME's Aboriginal Engagement Guidebook, available online at http://bit. ly/2a6mAEG or in hardcopy from our o•ice. Preparations are underway for the return of the Gathering Place to AME's Roundup 2017 conference after successfully hosting this important event at Roundup last year and most recently at the Minerals North conference in Smithers, B.C., in May. Public awareness and stakeholder education With the upcoming May 2017 provincial election, AME is partnering again with the Mining Association of BC and the Mining Suppliers Association of B.C. on a non-partisan Vote Mining campaign to raise public awareness and support for mineral exploration and mining among all candidates and voters, regardless of political a•iliation. Irrespective of the election outcome, B.C. will have a new minister responsible for mining. The Honourable Bill Bennett, B.C.'s minister of energy and mines, a vocal and responsive champion of our industry for many years, will not be seeking re-election. We look forward to keeping readers up to date in future issues of the magazine on how each of the provincial parties plans to support mineral exploration and development. On a federal level, AME will be active in the federal government's review of environmental assessment and permitting processes, as announced by the Government of Canada in June. Membership engagement For 104 years, AME has hosted events that help connect our members as well as raise the profile of the mineral exploration and development industry based in B.C., and our 24th annual Charity Golf Tournament on May 25 was no exception. AME hosted 144 golfers for a sunny day at the University Golf Club in Vancouver, with proceeds from the fun event benefitting MineralsEd's education programs designed for elementary and secondary schoolchildren to learn more about the importance of minerals. Two years ago, AME embarked on a strategy to make the association more recognizable so that we are more clearly seen and heard, both by the public and within our industry. With the input and support of members, AME developed a new brand that conveys the association as being strong, professional and open. As you can see in your hands or on your desktop, the revitalized branding for AME is now complete with a new look for Mineral Exploration magazine. We hope that you enjoy the new look and find that it complements AME's purpose as an association representing mineral explorers and developers who are operating, or based in, B.C. Mineral Exploration Roundup Planning is well underway for AME's Mineral Exploration Roundup 2017 conference, our 34th annual event that will be held under the Canada Place sails January 22 to 26, 2017. See a sneak preview of Roundup 2017, "Gearing up for Discovery," on page 19 and the much- anticipated schedule at a glance on pages 20 to 21. As planning continues for AME's flagship event, I welcome companies and members active in the mineral exploration and development industry to visit our website at amebc.ca/roundup for exhibitor and sponsor information. This will most certainly be a Roundup not to miss! On behalf of the sta• and the board of AME, I thank the hundreds of dedicated volunteers and thousands of members of the Association for their valuable support and ongoing contributions. I wish you a safe day, every day, wherever this fall message finds you! ADVOCACY By JONATHAN BUCHANAN

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