By Jamie Hyland – MiningIR
VANCOUVER, CANADA, January 26, 2026 — AME Roundup 2026 opened Monday at the Vancouver Convention Centre East with a clear and confident message from industry and government leaders: mineral exploration is no longer a peripheral economic activity—it is central to Canada’s future prosperity, security, and clean energy ambitions.
The Opening Ceremony brought together Indigenous leaders, policymakers, and industry executives, setting a collaborative tone for the four-day conference. Proceedings began with a traditional welcome from Amanda Campbell of the Squamish and Nisga’a Nations, followed by remarks from the City of Vancouver and representatives of both the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia. Speakers emphasized reconciliation, partnership, and regulatory certainty as cornerstones of a competitive minerals sector.
Delivering the keynote address, Minerals for a Changing World, AME President and CEO Todd Stone underscored the growing strategic importance of mineral exploration at a time when global competition for critical minerals is intensifying.
“Canada needs more mineral exploration to secure its economic future and maintain its global leadership in responsible mining,” Stone told delegates.
Stone highlighted the Pacific Northwest’s role in supplying copper, gold, and critical minerals essential to electrification, advanced manufacturing, and national security. He also pointed to the importance of continued collaboration between governments, Indigenous communities, explorers, and capital markets to turn geological potential into operating mines.
Government representatives reinforced those themes, outlining recent policy initiatives designed to strengthen domestic supply chains, streamline permitting, and attract investment while upholding environmental and social standards. Federal and provincial speakers stressed that Canada’s ability to meet its critical minerals objectives will depend on aligning public policy with on-the-ground realities faced by explorers and developers.
The morning continued with the always-popular Regional Overviews, offering a data-driven snapshot of exploration activity across British Columbia, Yukon, and Alaska. Gordon Clarke, Director at the British Columbia Mineral Development Office with the British Columbia Geological Survey, reviewed exploration and mining trends in BC, noting sustained interest in copper and gold alongside emerging opportunities in critical minerals.
Tiera Naber, Economic Geologist with the Yukon Geological Survey, followed with an update on Yukon exploration, highlighting strong geological prospectivity and continued industry engagement despite challenging capital markets. Alaska’s outlook was presented by David Szumigala of the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, who emphasized Alaska’s growing relevance in North American critical minerals supply chains.
“The Pacific Northwest is uniquely positioned to help secure a reliable global supply of critical minerals,” Clarke said during the session.
Technical sessions in the afternoon showcased that potential in detail. The BC, Yukon & Alaska session featured presentations from companies actively advancing exploration projects across the region. Speakers from Amarc Resources, Vizsla Copper, Seabridge Gold, Silver North Resources, Prospector Metals, Northern Star Resources, and Scottie Resources shared new geological insights, drilling results, and evolving exploration models.
Several presentations highlighted how advances in geological understanding and exploration technology are reshaping mature districts, reinforcing the idea that new discoveries remain possible even in well-explored regions.
Policy discussions returned to the forefront during the Government-Industry Forum, where senior industry figures and policymakers addressed the regulatory and economic frameworks shaping mineral exploration in Canada. Alberta’s Minister of Energy and Minerals, Brian Jean, delivered remarks emphasizing the role of mineral development in supporting economic growth, energy transition objectives, and national competitiveness.
“Jurisdictions that balance regulatory certainty with environmental stewardship and Indigenous engagement will lead the next wave of mineral development,” Minister Jean said.
The forum also featured a return address by Todd Stone, reinforcing AME’s call for policies that encourage investment, innovation, and timely project advancement.
Beyond the conference rooms, activity in the Exhibit Hall reflected the industry’s breadth and diversity. Delegates circulated through the Core Shack, Prospectors’ Tent, and Project Generators’ Hub, examining drill core, geological maps, and early-stage project concepts from across Canada and beyond. The Indigenous Marketplace, running throughout the day, provided an additional focal point, highlighting Indigenous entrepreneurship and creativity.
Day 1 concluded with the Exhibit Hall Happy Hour and the Student-Industry Networking Event, a reminder that AME Roundup is as much about building future talent as it is about sharing technical knowledge.
With strong policy signals, robust technical content, and renewed regional momentum, AME Roundup 2026 launched on a confident footing—underscoring that mineral exploration remains fundamental to Canada’s economic resilience and global standing.
The day concluded with Yukon Night, a long-standing AME Roundup tradition that brought together explorers, investors, service providers, and government representatives to spotlight the territory’s mineral potential. The reception carried added weight this year as Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Ted Laking outlined new territorial initiatives aimed at strengthening the Yukon’s mining sector—announcements that resonated with delegates attending Roundup.
Our new government has made it a priority to improve certainty for the private sector and industry. That is why we are taking action to review our service standards and bring in regulatory timelines while meeting our obligations for consultation with affected First Nations. In addition to timelines, we will be increasing our transparency so that proponents know where their project is in the permitting process. These changes will provide more certainty to the mining industry, which is a major private sector driver of our economy. Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ted Laking.
The Government of Yukon confirmed plans to improve regulatory timelines while respecting consultation obligations with First Nations, alongside the development of an online dashboard to track permitting progress and a security and bonding calculator to increase transparency in land use and quartz mining approvals. A notable investment commitment includes $1.4 million for the Yukon Mineral Exploration Program in 2026, subject to budget approval, to support grassroots discovery and early-stage exploration.
