How claims work in BC
B.C. records mineral and placer claims in Mineral Titles Online (MTO). A claim gives its holder exclusive rights to the minerals on it, and holding or acquiring one requires a Free Miner Certificate. Search the placer titles along the stretch of river you are interested in, check the good-to date and work requirements, and complete any transfer through MTO.
From the BC panning guide
B.C. records mineral and placer claims in Mineral Titles Online (MTO). Search the map view for placer titles along the stretch of river you want to pan; a claim gives its holder exclusive rights to the placer minerals, and panning on it without written permission is an offence against the title holder.
Many famous creeks (Cariboo, Tulameen, the Fraser bars) are heavily staked. An empty spot on the MTO map plus an on-the-ground look for claim posts is the standard due diligence.
Verify here
- Recreational hand panning — Province of B.C.
- Mineral Titles Online (claim map)
- Panning reserves — best practices (PDF)