Rockhounding Code of Ethics

This is an abbreviated list you will see elsewhere. 

1. Respect private property and do no rockhounding without owners permission.

2. Respect the mineral and placer claims of others and do no rockhounding without owners permission.

3. No blasting nor firearms

4. Take all garbage home

5. Leave gates as they were found.

6. Do not take more than you can reasonably use and do not willfully damage materials.

7. Fill in any holes you dig to protect environment, animals and people.

To highlight point #2

When someone has a mineral or placer claim they pay for that parcel and are responsible for it. They are bound by government regulations on the use and care of the land and must complete reports yearly. Often it is a business and when someone goes to their claim, without permission,  and takes material  it is theft. 

Finding your own unclaimed areas to rockhound or claim

Please respect areas claimed by others. You can check on MTO map to find several areas unclaimed this year.

For ease to get you started ........ Go to the MTO map click on the GREEN Button

Find the area you want to explore on the map

Note: any areas in PINK "squares" are currently claimed

For further research you can add layers i.e TITLES (History) .... you will see most of the province has been claimed at some point in the past. 

If it is not claimed currently it does not mean there is nothing there for a rockhound to explore or enjoy. It may mean they were interested in certain minerals and not others.

You can also join a local rock club like Kokanee Rock Club for field trips and education.

 Also, if you are interested in mining you could consider being a member of a Chamber of Mines i.e. in our area that would be the Chamber of Mines of Eastern BC.