Free Miner Certificate (FMC) and BCeID

• Free Miner Certificate (FMC) in order to acquire and renew a placer claim.

• BCeID to Logon to the Mineral Titles Online System to acquire a placer claim, register work done on a placer claim, renew a FMC, and many other tasks.

BCeID

To be able to get a placer claim, you need a "Business" BCeID even if you get an Individual Free Miner Certificate. There is no charge, but you must prove your identity in BC. When it asks about your "business type", select "Proprietorship".

For more information, see the government's FAQ page and click on BCeID under MTO: Mineral Titles Online.

Free Miner Certificate (FMC)

• own and get to a placer claim
• work on the claim (with a permit in some cases)
• keep any gold that you find on your claim

A FMC does not give you the right to:

• use your title for residential or recreational purposes
• build or place structures (ex. cabin, greenhouse) on your title
• to conduct any mining activity, including exploration and road building, without appropriate permits
• to hunt, fish or carry a firearm

If you do any of these things and you don't already have the right to do them, you could lose your FMC and all your placer claims.

Requirements to Get a FMC

• a citizen of Canada
• an ordinary resident of Canada for at least 183 days per calendar year
• authorized by the Canadian federal government to work in Canada (proof of this authorization must be submitted when applying for an FMC)

The cost of a FMC for an individual is $25 per year (beginning when the FMC is issued) or, if the individual is 65 years or older, there is no cost.

A corporation, trust company, insurer or chartered bank that is registered in BC can acquire or renew a FMC at a cost of $500 per year.

A partnership registered in BC can acquire or renew a FMC at a cost of $25 per year if all partners are individuals, or $500 per year if any partners are corporations.

How to Acquire a FMC

You can also print your own FMC using the MTO System. For more information, see the FMC FAQ - the Free Miner Certificate Frequently Asked Questions.

A person who has never held a FMC, may apply in person to:

• any Service BC locations
• any FrontCounterBC BC locations

You may also apply by mail. The FMC application form is available at Forms. The completed form and a cheque for either $25 for an individual or $500 for a corporation, payable to the Minister of Finance, may be mailed to:

Mineral Titles Branch
300-865 Hornby Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V6Z 2G3

For More Information

• Free Miner Certificate FAQ
• Information Update No. 12 - Renewal of Free Miner Certificates

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