Rules & Guidelines
Marketplace rules, BC mining regulations overview, and listing requirements.
Section 60 Compliance
Plain-language guide to the section 60 warning required on every mineral title listing.
What the section 60 warning means
Section 60 of the BC Mineral Tenure Act requires that any advertisement for the sale of a mineral title include a specific warning. In plain terms: a mineral title gives you rights to the minerals — it does not include surface rights or the right to use the surface for residential or recreational purposes. You cannot build a home, cabin, camp, or recreational facility on a mineral title alone.
Statutory warning (verbatim, s. 60(2))
Warning — This property is offered for mining purposes only and ownership of the title to it does not include ownership of the surface rights or the right to use the surface for residential or recreational purposes.
Why it is required
This is a statutory requirement under section 60 of the BC Mineral Tenure Act. The warning must appear in every advertisement respecting the sale of a mineral title, in the same size print as the general body of the advertisement. It exists to ensure buyers understand the limits of what a mineral title actually conveys before they spend money.
For sellers
- •You do not need to type the warning yourself — MTA automatically adds the exact statutory warning to the bottom of every mineral title listing.
- •Do not advertise or promise any use of the property outside mining purposes. Promises of residential, recreational, or other surface use are not permitted and may breach the Act.
- •The warning must appear in the same size print as the rest of your listing body. MTA handles this for you automatically.
For buyers
- •A mineral title does not give you ownership of the surface rights or the right to use the surface for residential or recreational purposes.
- •Independently verify surface rights, tenure status, ownership, and any required permits before purchasing. MTA does not guarantee title or surface rights.
- •The section 60 warning on a listing is a statutory disclosure — it is not a negotiable term and cannot be waived by the seller.
Related sections, in plain language
s. 8Free miner required to hold a claim
A person must hold a valid Free Miner Certificate (FMC) to be registered as the recorded holder of a mineral claim or placer claim. If you are buying or holding a claim, you need an FMC.
s. 9Recreational hand panning
Recreational hand panning is allowed without a Free Miner Certificate, but you may not hand pan on a valid mineral title without the recorded holder's permission. A listing on MTA does not grant you any right to enter or pan on the claim.
s. 63Offence to contravene the Act
It is an offence to contravene the Mineral Tenure Act, and penalties apply. Misrepresenting a mineral title sale — including failing to include the section 60 warning — can result in prosecution.
Marketplace Rules
- •All listings must represent genuine BC mineral titles or mining equipment.
- •Sellers must be the legal owner or authorized representative of any listed claim.
- •Contact information must be accurate and current.
- •Fraudulent listings will result in immediate account suspension.
- •Spam, duplicate listings, or misleading descriptions are prohibited.
Listing Requirements
- •Claim listings must include a valid tenure number.
- •Asking price must reflect a genuine offer; bait-and-switch pricing is not permitted.
- •Photos must be of the actual claim or equipment being sold.
- •Equipment listings must accurately describe condition.
- •All listings are subject to admin review before going live.
FMC Requirements
- •Free Miners Certificate (FMC) is required to hold a BC mineral claim.
- •FMC must be current and valid for the entire period you hold a claim.
- •MTA may require FMC verification for listing approval.
- •Placer leases have additional requirements under the Mineral Tenure Act.
BC Claim Transfer Information
- •Mineral claim transfers must be processed through the BC Mineral Titles Office (MTO).
- •Both buyer and seller must hold a valid Free Miners Certificate at time of transfer.
- •Transfer documents must be filed through MTO's online system.
- •MTA is a marketplace platform only and is not responsible for legal transfer processing.
- •Always consult a mining lawyer or qualified agent for complex transfers.
BC Mineral Tenure Act
The full text of British Columbia's Mineral Tenure Act — the primary legislation governing mineral claims, leases, and titles in BC. Search within the Act to find specific rules and sections.
Source: Mineral Tenure Act, King's Printer, Victoria, British Columbia. Current to May 26, 2026.
View on BC Laws (official source)User Conduct Policies
- •Respectful communication is required at all times.
- •Harassment, threats, or abusive language will result in account suspension.
- •Do not share other users' personal information publicly.
- •Report suspicious activity or listings using the report function.
Prohibited Listings
- •Claims with disputed or unclear ownership.
- •Listings that violate provincial or federal mining law.
- •Claims in active litigation without disclosure.
- •Non-mining items or services unrelated to the BC mining industry.
Legal Disclaimer
- •MTA – Mineral Title Acquisition is a marketplace platform only.
- •We do not provide legal, financial, geological, or investment advice.
- •All transactions are between buyers and sellers directly.
- •MTA is not responsible for the accuracy of listing information.
- •Always conduct your own due diligence before purchasing a mining claim.