A Joint Action
Opposing Fee & Work Criteria Changes
Proposed for the Mineral Tenure Act & Regulations
&
Privatization of Crown Assets by the BC Government
Illegal and Unethical Practices The British Columbia Government, the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Petroleum Resources (MMEPR), and, the Association for Mineral Exploration, British Columbia (AME BC), a private association-based entity, are all entwined in a conspiracy designed to extort and defraud prospectors and small-scale miners throughout the province.
FACT: Clear evidence shows that MMEPR has integrated AME BC, a private enterprise, into the working fabric of Ministry management.
FACT: Failing to firstly consult with ‘all’ persons currently holding an interest or partial interest in mineral tenures in this province, it has been learned that MMEPR intends to covertly Table a Motion before the BC Legislature within the next few short weeks, which proposes a variety of changes that will adversely affect every small-scale operator in the province. It is also proposed such Bill would extend power to a newly formed Levy Board, an AME BC (private enterprise) initiative, which would further hike the fee structure to an unprecedented level, in overall, ranging to well over a 900% increase, with AME BC capturing the lion’s share. In regard to both our Government’s proposed new windfall, and the windfall of that of AME BC’s, this would then denote nightmares of catastrophic proportion for every individual desiring to hold mineral rights within the province. In ‘fact,’ this new founded maneuver orchestrated between government and said private enterprise, is but a ploy to drive out the small operator, thus freeing up prime mineral property so that AME BC’s member companies and other member professionals can then swoop down like starved vultures to grapple the spoils, without having to deal with the small operators. Maneuvers which assures only to the benefit of government and private enterprise. This represents but another Crown effort toward a sell-out (or give away) of governmental jurisdiction to private enterprise.
To summate on the above noted, if we choose to remain in the prospecting and small-scale mining scene, whereas exorbitant fee hikes then prevails, MMEPR’s and AME BC’s actions then represents nothing short of extortion, fraud and breach of agreement. We, the smaller entity, would then be forced to pay the bill for larger company’s projects and, their property and mining developments.
Each and every one of us know, that underlying all this, is the Campbell Government’s lust to make all BC citizens pay the astronomical debts it in itself racked up with the 2010 Olympics. And it has now been made crystal clear, it shares the same pillow with it new-found private-enterprise bed-mate.
We have to stand our ground, people, we must rise to our defense !
Since mining began in this province during the late 1800’s, tenure acquisition fees have been fixed at affordable rates to the prospector. Following online filing, many new individuals and companies have entered the scene, thus adding to the potential of new discoveries being made. Should this proposed Bill be permitted to slither through uncontested, though logically most larger companies would indeed survive (and prosper from our spoils), this would denote, however, a dramatic down-turn in the current numbers of small operators who could then stay afloat. In the eventual, this could very well result in the demise of the grassroots operator.
In looking at the big picture, taking into consideration there would then be thousands forced out of the prospecting/mining scene (those individuals who are currently active in plying their interest throughout the entire province), this newly proposed Bill then not only represents devastating damage to the industry itself, but would grossly affect the overall economy within the province. For it is the little guys who generate small-business incomes, while also contributing to the government’s tax coffers. If the big boys wish our properties, thence they should stand up like true businessmen and negotiate their acquisition - - not belly to underhanded tactics while clinging to the apron strings of a power thereby legalizing their intent to steal from the deserving. Yet we know very well the true story, for this is but another trinket-of-misgiving our Government wishes to thrust upon us, in their quest to gain a dominate control over the citizens within its jurisdiction.
Our very existence as small-scale prospectors and miners now hangs in the balance, thus, we seek your unequivocal support toward our launch of an initiative toward battling down this new-found tyranny.
Due to MMEPR not notifying every FMC holder of these proposals, and their intent on covertly ushering through such devastating legislation changes, and the fact that there now remains roughly only three weeks or so left in which to present our case, time now is of the essence, so please act swiftly.
I hereby, personally request of each and every member, whether a BC resident or not, and of those who are yet to be members but whom currently follow our Forum, to set forth his or her mark in support of our endeavor. I firstly appeal that each of you register your support through completing our new poll, so we might then present an official counting. Thence, for each of you to commence by saturating the email boxes of every Liberal Caucus Member, as well as each applicable MMEPR representative, plus, the officiating representative of AME BC, with your adamant protests demanding their abandonment of the proposed Motion. I suggest an initial email, whereby your position is clearly stated, and within which you request their prompt reply in stating their position. Where no reply is received, follow up with a forwarded copy of your original communication - - so on and so forth until you do receive a reply. Thence carry forward with a twice-weekly follow-up email requesting their statement of whatever course of action they themselves implemented. This course of action should be kept active, until the entire Liberal Caucus concedes and abandons this ludicrous endeavor.
Our existence as individual prospectors and miners, depends on the degree of your support and actions. Now is the time to step to the plate, else we’ve only ourselves to blame when we can no longer partake in that which we enjoy so much.
We also invite all prospectors and miners who also holds properties within the province (or intends to do so), to participate in this initiative, regardless whether they patronize other associations or groups within BC or other locales.
It all starts, with YOU !What can you do ? - - please read the following as suggestions for your course of action.
The following email addresses are of those individuals you ought to send your grievances to. In suggestion, send the main email to Gordon Campbell, while CC’ing all other cabinet Ministers. Similarly, send another applicable email to the President of AME BC, and likewise, for the varied MMEPR representatives. Simply highlight, copy and paste the following email addresses into the appropriate ‘Recipient’ or ‘CC’ sections of your prepared email. Do remember to save a copy of all emails, including those received from respondents.
The Lists As Follows:
Gordon Campbell and Cabinet MembersThese should be relative to the current BC Government orchestrating circumstance through which it could then defraud and extort, monies and mineral properties from Free Miners, through its proposal for outrageous fee increases associated to the staking and maintenance of mineral tenures.
Premier Gordon Campbell (primary email recipient)
premier@gov.bc.ca Caucus Members for CC (highlight, copy & paste into your emailer)
george.abbott.mla@leg.bc.ca,
bill.barisoff.mla@leg.bc.ca,
bill.bennett.mla@leg.bc.ca,
iain.black.mla@leg.bc.ca,
ian.black.mla@gove.bc.ca,
harry.bloy.mla@gov.bc.ca,
shirley.bond.mla@leg.bc.ca,
gordon.campbell.mla@leg.bc.ca,
premier@gov.bc.ca,
ida.chong.mla@leg.bc.ca,
murray.coell.mla@leg.bc.ca,
rich.coleman.mla@leg.bc.ca,
mike.dejong.mla@leg.bc.ca,
kevin.falcon.mla@leg.bc.ca,
colin.hansen.mla@leg.bc.ca,
randy.hawes.mla@leg.bc.ca,
kash.heed.mla@gove.bc.ca,
kevin.krueger.mla@leg.bc.ca,
blair.lekstrom.mla@leg.bc.ca,
margaret.macdiarmid.mla@leg.bc.ca,
mary.mcneil.mla@leg.bc.ca,
barry.penner.mla@leg.bc.ca,
mary.polak.mla@leg.bc.ca,
ben.stewart.mla@leg.bc.ca,
moira.stilwell.mla@leg.bc.ca,
steve.thomson.mla@leg.bc.ca,
naomi.yamamoto.mla@leg.bc.ca,
john.yap.mla@leg.bc.caMinistry of Mines RepresentativesThese letters might follow the lines of alleging illegal and unethical improprieties in backroom dealings with AME BC, while petitioning their abandonment of such new proposal to initiate unreasonable fee hikes, and, that they ensure no changes will be made to the current fee structure and/or the reporting criteria.
EMPR.Minister@gov.bc.ca Honourable Blair Lekstrom
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Lisa.Nye@gov.bc.ca Chief Gold Commissioner
Rick.Conte@gov.bc.ca Director of Mineral Titles Online
AME BCThese letters might follow the lines of alleging illegal and unethical improprieties in conspiring with the Ministry of Mines to defraud free miners. And hold, while petitioning they abandon their efforts toward forming a Levy Board, of which was created for the sole purpose of reaping revenues from the Ministry’s proposed Mineral Tenure fee hikes.
gdirom@amebc.ca Gavin Dirom President & CEO Phone: 604.630.3920
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Information Bulletin
An Initiative
by
AME BC
DRAFT ‐ Feb 24, 2010
Proposal for a "Mineral Tenure Levy Board" under the Mineral Tenure Act
Background:
Following fall consultation efforts led by the BC Mineral Titles Branch with the Association for Mineral Exploration of BC (AME BC), regional exploration groups, Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) and Geoscience BC, at the December 8, 2009 meeting of AME BC, the following resolution was motioned, seconded and unanimously carried:
"A motion to inform the Government of British Columbia that AME BC supports changes to the Mineral Tenure Act and Regulations and ís willing to support an additional mineral claim fee directed back to the mineral exploration sector. AME BC will work with government on the mineral claim fee threshold level that would be acceptable to the sector and where monies raised from the mineral claim fee should be directed."
Based on consultation with industry, government's proposed new base fee to acquire mineral tenure in BC is $1.75. An additional maximum $2.00 industry levy (to be protected in legislation) per hectare is also proposed to create an "industry levy fund" to finance industry determined priorities. The actual levy amount would be set in regulations and technically could range anywhere from $0.10 to $2.00. Potentially, the total maximum proposed cost to acquire mineral tenure in BC would rise from the current $0.40 to $3.75 ($1.75 base fee + $2.00 levy) per hectare in 2010. Premised on the conservative estimate of having 1.8 million hectares of mineral tenure acquired annually in BC, this proposed maximum industry levy of $2 per hectare would generate $3.6 million annually for industry determined priorities. Of course, the actual total industry levy fund would vary (approximate range could be $2 – 10 million) depending on levy amount and mineral tenure acquisition activity from year to year.
On February 18, 2010 government requested AME BC to submit a proposal outlining a potential governance body and structure to determine industry priorities and to receive and administer industry levy funds. As such, the following Mineral Tenure Levy Board or MTLB is proposed.
Governance and Structure of the proposed "Mineral Tenure Levy Board" or "MTLB":
It is proposed that the appropriate representation for a conceptual "Mineral Tenure Levy Board" or "MTLB" would be seven persons: five voting representatives of the mineral exploration and mining industry and two non-voting representatives of government. Of the five representing industry, two will be "regional" representatives (from outside the lower mainland and capital region).
Specifically, the proposed representation on the MTLB is as follows:
• One AME BC representative;
• One MABC representative;
• One private sector representative appointed by AME BC and MABC;
• Two regional exploration group representatives; and
• Two appointed government representatives (such as Chief Geologist and Chief Gold Commissioner) acting as non-voting, ex-officio committee members
For legal purposes, the MTLB would not be independent of AME BC and would in fact be a committee of the AME BC under its existing Bylaws. However, the actual operation of the MTLB would be at arm's length of the AME BC Board of Directors.
Terms of Reference:
Specific terms of reference would be developed for the MTLB to ensure fair, reasonable and consistent management of the levied funds generated by industry.
The fundamental role of the MTLB would be as follows:
• Identify priority areas for funding within the mineral exploration and mine development industry for a three year period;
• Recommend funding levels for each priority initiative;
• Implement funding decisions;
• Review outcomes of initiatives funded and provide recommendations on changes to priority initiatives; and
• Oversee joint communication of benefits of funds provided through the levy.
Identifying Priorities, Making Recommendations and Implementing Decisions:
The MTLB would use an acceptable governance process and decision-making model for identifying priorities, making recommendations and implementing funding decisions.
Revenue Flow and Financial Oversight:
It is proposed that the funds generated from the levy would be received and administered by the AME BC. AME BC, with a slight modification to its existing Bylaws, would establish a "special account" to administer the funds as a "restricted fund" as AME BC would not, in substance, oversee the disbursement of these monies but has stewardship of them and is responsible for their administration.
AME BC has the capacity and expertise to administer funding in an accountable and efficient manner and would ensure that funds are disbursed regularly and in a timely fashion. AME BC can meet required objectives with respect to transparency and also maintain administrative efficiencies. AME BC's annual reporting, which is properly audited, can form the basis of annual accounting and auditing. It is also proposed that AME BC would set a reasonable flat administration fee.
Suggested Initial Funding:
Government could provide an initial funding payment at the beginning of the fiscal year based on an under-estimated revenue value for revenues in that fiscal year. When the revenues from the levy exceed the initial payment, then additional funding could be provided to AME BC. For example, based on an annual estimate of 1.8 million hectares of new mineral claims registered, at a cost of $2.00 per hectare, the total annual revenue would equal $3.6 million. The initial payment could be $2 million with a top up payment later in the fiscal year of $1.6 million. Alternatively, any remaining funds to be dispensed from a prior year could be added to the upfront allocation made in the following year.
