FAQ
Welcome to our FAQ section where you can find answers to commonly asked questions.
This FAQ section will grow over time and repeat questions arise.
Question:
Can anyone own a claim in British Columbia?
Answer:
No. It is necessary that you must hold a valid 'BC Free Miner Certificate' before any title transfer can happen. For specific details on how to make that happen, follow THIS LINK. Generally speaking, it is easy to become a Free Miner if you are a Canadian who has been living in Canada, and as of 2026 the cost is less than $50 annually.
Question:
I now own a claim, can I now get to work and have equipment operating on site?
Answer:
No. You will need to operate in accordance with BC Mineral Tenure Act. You will likely need permits from the BC Government in order to perform any task on the claim. You do not have surface rights, and are not allowed to put a structure or house for example, on the claim without a permit. You are possibly allowed to use a shovel and gold pan without permits, however you will need to familiarize yourself with the BC Mineral Tenure Act before proceeding.
Question:
I own a claim, what does this mean?
Answer:
Owning a mineral claim or placer claim in British Columbia means you hold a legal tenure (a type of lease-like interest) from the provincial government to the subsurface minerals (or placer minerals) within a specific area of Crown land. This is governed by the Mineral Tenure Act and administered through the Mineral Titles Online (MTO) system.
It's not full ownership of the land itself—surface rights (like building a house or farming) usually belong to someone else (private owner or the Crown). Instead, you get exclusive rights to explore for, develop, and extract the defined minerals in that area, subject to rules, fees, and other obligations.
Question:
The status of the claim is listed as 'Application', what does that mean? Why isn't it listed as a claim?
Answer:
An "In Application" status means the seller has submitted an application to acquire the cells through MTO, but it is still pending review and approval (including potential First Nations consultation under the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework). It is not yet a registered claim with full rights. Once approved and registered, it becomes an active "Claim." Applications can take time to resolve and may not always succeed—buyers should verify current status directly in MTO before purchasing.
Question:
I want to do more than just buy, hold, and sell my claims. I want to potentially work them, what sort of questions should cross my mind?
Answer:
1. Is the claim currently registered and active, or is it still "in application"?
2. What is the exact status and expiry date of the claim in Mineral Titles Online (MTO)?
3. Has the required annual assessment work been completed and reported for the current year?
4. What is the annual work requirement or cash-in-lieu payment amount going forward?
5. Are there any overlapping tenures, no-registration reserves, or surface interests that could restrict activities?
6. Has consultation with affected First Nations already occurred (under the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework)?
7. What additional permits will I need for exploration or mining (e.g., Mines Act permit, water license, reclamation bond)?
8. Are there any environmental restrictions, archaeological sites, or park/protected area overlaps on or near the claim?
9. What is the documented mineral/placer potential (assays, historical production, geological reports)?
10. How will the transfer be handled through MTO, and what are the transfer fees/timelines?
11. Is the seller providing all supporting documents (maps, reports, photos, tenure details)?
12. What is the current asking price, and how does it compare to similar claims in the area?
13. Are there any liens, disputes, or encumbrances on the claim?
14. Who owns the surface rights, and do I need their permission for access or work?
15. What is the realistic timeline and cost to start small-scale prospecting or mining on the claim?