Handbook for Mineral and Coal Exploration in British Columbia:
A Working Field Guide (2008/09 Edition)

The Handbook for Mineral and Coal Exploration in British Columbia has been developed over the past few years as a joint effort of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, the Ministry of Environment, the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) and the Mining Association of British Columbia. It is meant to assist the B.C. mineral and coal exploration sectors in planning and implementing their exploration activities with due regard for worker health and safety and environmental protection. 

The Handbook is a compilation of recommended management practices that, subject to site-specific assessment and adaptation, can be implemented in the field and complement good planning and execution of the work program, as well as subsequent closure and reclamation activities on an exploration site.

AME BC has produced complementary guides that supplement this handbook. These guides, available through AME BC, include the following:

	Mineral Exploration, Mining and Aboriginal Community Engagement: A Guidebook (provides advice on establishing and maintaining relations with First Nations communities; published in 2005 and reissued in March 2006)
	Safety Guidelines for Mineral Exploration in Western Canada, Fourth Edition (outlines a wide range of safety considerations and advice)

VIEW ELECTRONIC VERSION OF HANDBOOK (PDF)
(CLICK HERE to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

A limited number of published copies of the Handbook can be obtained from Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources regional offices or at the AME BC office in Vancouver.

Constructive feedback from the exploration sector will assist with ongoing improvements to the Handbook for Mineral and Coal Exploration in British Columbia. Your feedback is welcomed at any time and is very much appreciated. 

For more information, or to provide written feedback on the use of this handbook, please contact

Jeff Hoyt
Standards and Guidelines Specialist
Ecosystems Branch, Ministry of Environment

OR

Ron Bronstein
Executive Regional Director
Mining and Minerals Division, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources

Last Updated June 09, 2008