2005, Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC)
More than two years in the making, the Working Draft of the MEM-ACE Guidebook was first released in January, 2005 at “MINERAL EXPLORATION ROUNDUP 2005”, the world’s second largest mineral exploration conference. Hosted by the BC & Yukon Chamber of Mines (now AME BC) in Vancouver, B.C. Roundup 2005 was attended by over 5,000 delegates from 29 countries. In February, 2005, the Working Draft was presented at the Aboriginal Engagement and Sustainability Conference, hosted in Vancouver by CBSR, and drawing presenters from as far away as New Zealand.
More than 700 copies of the Working Draft have been distributed, and input has been gathered from a broad range of Aboriginal, industry and government sources. That input has been carefully reviewed and represents a significant contribution to the current version of the MEM-ACE Guidebook. We are proud to present this work as the expression of considerable collaborative effort; we hope that it is received and used as a living document, to be enriched in future editions by broad discussion and feedback.
The MEM-ACE Guidebook is divided into two parts – “PART I: ABORIGINAL HISTORY AND BACKGROUND”; and “PART II: MINERAL EXPLORATION, MINING & ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – Case Studies, Pointers, Practical Advice and Best Practices.” Designed and published as a companion piece to this Guidebook is “BUILDING SUSTAINABLE RELATIONSHIPS: 11 Case Studies and 4 Presentations Delivered at The Aboriginal Engagement & Sustainability Conference” (the AES Case Studies).
As the MEM-ACE Guidebook was born of British Columbia experience, it contains considerable material grounded in that context.Readers in other jurisdictions will recognize that many of the principles developed from that experience are transferable, and the authors look forward to receiving feedback to help to expand the perspective of future editions.
