Ministry Overview

Since 1874, the Ministry of Energy and Mines has been the primary provincial ministry responsible for British Columbia's energy and minerals sectors. Today those sectors include the industries that produce and market natural gas, oil, coal, electricity, alternative energy including hydrogen, metals, industrial minerals and aggregates. Over the past three years, these sectors have contributed substantially to the economy throughout the heartlands of the province and to the provincial Treasury. Accordingly, this Plan's primary direction is to remain on course to maintain and increase investment and activity in these sectors.

The Ministry's primary responsibilities are to:

• Market and promote British Columbia as a competitive location for resource industry investment;
• Enhance British Columbia's position as a key player in global energy, mineral and coal markets;
• Create a competitive regulatory environment that makes it easier and cost-effective for companies to do business in British Columbia;
• Encourage responsible development of British Columbia's energy and mineral resources;
• Ensure protection of the environment;
• Protect public and worker health and safety;
• Build relationships to facilitate First Nations' participation in the energy and mining sectors;
• Build opportunities with communities and the energy and mining sectors;
• Undertake assessments to determine British Columbia's resource potential;
• Develop policies to nurture new resource and energy development opportunities;
• Advocate technological innovation in British Columbia's conventional resource and alternative energy sectors; and
• Manage the disposition and administration of mineral, coal and petroleum rights.

The ministry administers 25 statutes that deal with the range of government responsibilities with respect to the energy and mining sectors. The ministry is organized by sector and service provision into eight divisions:

1. Mining and Minerals

2. Oil and Gas

3. Electricity and Alternative Energy

4. Titles

5. External Relations

6. Strategic Human Resources and Executive Operations

7. Corporate Policy, Planning and Legislation

8. Corporate Services