All Intervenor Applications Approved for Gitxaala Nation’s Challenge of BC’s Mineral Claim Staking Process

BC’s Supreme Court has approved all intervenor applications in the Gitxaala Nation’s case against BC’s mineral claim staking process.

In October of 2021, the Nation filed the legal challenge against the province, requesting a review into several mineral claims on their territory.

Each of those claims were granted by the province between 2018 and 2020, without the Nation’s consent.

But the case ultimately seeks to determine whether or not BC’s free-entry mineral claims staking process is in line with the Constitution and UNDRIP.

Under the current system, anyone can purchase a mineral claim online for $1.75 per hectare, which is granted automatically, without consultation.

In December, various environmental groups, mining companies, and rights organizations applied to speak in support of the challenge.

Now, the Courts have approved all of them to speak when the case is officially heard before the courts in April.