Purpose of the Ministry

The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is tasked with managing the responsible development of British Columbia’s energy, mining and petroleum resource sectors. Through the promotion of teamwork and positive working relationships with our clients, we facilitate a climate for thriving, safe, environmentally responsible and competitive energy, mining and petroleum resource sectors. It is through these initiatives that the Ministry will continue to contribute to the economic growth and development of communities throughout British Columbia.

As commodity prices for natural gas, oil, electricity and minerals remain strong, British Columbians can expect to see continued benefits and resource development opportunities. This Service Plan outlines the Ministry’s strategies to increase jobs, investment and revenue related to these sectors, while ensuring the highest degree of environmentally responsible resource development occurs on the land base from which energy, mineral and petroleum resources are derived.

In pursuit of its mandate, the Ministry is responsible for a wide range of policies and programs related to mineral exploration and mining, including permitting, mine inspections and safety, geoscience, skills training and educational programs. The Ministry develops and implements British Columbia’s policies with regard to electrical power generation and transmission, including oversight of BC Hydro, the BC Transmission Corporation and Columbia Power Corporation. It is responsible for initiatives to promote new energy technologies, energy conservation and alternative energy sources, such as bio-energy and renewables, including wind and solar power generation. Regulatory policy for the oil and gas industry is another important part of the Ministry’s mandate, and it ensures the orderly and timely extraction of British Columbia’s oil and gas resources. Examples of the Ministry’s oil and gas related services include participation in job fairs, trade shows and service sector promotion, the provision of geoscience information and the development of royalty policy and incentives.

The Ministry also manages the rights to Crown subsurface resources. Monthly oil and gas rights auctions are held and coal, underground gas storage and geothermal applications, mineral claims and mining leases are processed. The Ministry continues to explore potential frameworks for offshore oil and gas development for British Columbia as well as develop strategies and policies in the areas of land use, marketing, and Aboriginal and community relations. In developing its policies, legislation and guidelines, the Ministry consults with its clients in the oil and gas, mining, electricity and alternative energy industries, as well as communities, First Nations, and environmental and industry associations.

The Ministry administers 25 statutes pertaining to the energy, mining and petroleum resource sectors. In addition, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is responsible for the Assayers Certification Board of Examiners, the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, the BC Transmission Corporation, the Columbia Power Corporation, the Mediation and Arbitration Board and the Oil and Gas Commission. The Ministry retains responsibility for the policy direction provided to the Oil and Gas Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry throughout British Columbia.