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Assayers Certification Board of Examiners

An independent board of examiners comprising educators and industry representatives are authorized under the Ministry of Energy and Mines Act to oversee the assayers certification program. This ensures that assayers practicing in British Columbia meet the high standards of competency required by the mining and securities industries. Since the program was introduced, over 600 assayers have been certified. British Columbia is the only mining jurisdiction in the world that requires assayers to pass a rigorous practical examination before being certified.

• In November 2003, the board of examiners were reappointed for a term of three years.
• Three new candidates successfully completed the final practical examination in December 2003 and received their certificates of proficiency.
• There are 27 students enrolled in the British Columbia Institute of Technology's (BCIT) assayer training program.

On August 5, 2003, the Assayers Foundation of British Columbia was incorporated as a non-profit society to provide a formal structure for the advisory council and to allow direct financial control over the Assayers Certification Program. The advisory council comprising representatives from the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines, BCIT and members of the Canadian and U.S. professional assaying communities provides direction to the BC-Assayers Certification Program and raises public awareness of the program.