Modernizing the Mineral Titles Online (MTO) registry project
Last updated on January 27, 2025
The Mineral Titles Online (MTO) registry is an internet-based mineral title administration system that is necessary for the province to effectively administer the Mineral Tenure Act (MTA) as well as the Coal Act.
The MTO registry is used by industry to gain and maintain mineral, placer and coal titles. It provides transparency to First Nations and the public about who owns minerals right and what work is completed. For government, the MTO data supports decision-making, land-use planning, and policymaking.
The current system needs to be updated to manage the consultation process on applications for claim acquisition. These updates will launch on March 26, 2025.
Multiple projects are occurring in parallel:
- Mineral Titles Online - The current MTO registry continues to be administered under regular maintenance schedules
- Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF) - The Mineral Tenure Act Modernization Office (MTAMO) is working on development and implementation by March 26, 2025 on the new MCCF in response to the Supreme Court ruling. The current MTO will be modified to align with this framework
- Modernizing Mineral Titles Online (MMTO) project - MTO is 20 years old and needs upgrades to newer technology.
- Phase 1: As part of the modernization, the current MTO will be modified to align with the MCCF by March 26, 2025
- Phase 2: Technology upgrades, new and improved workflows for system efficiency. Goal of implementation by March 2026
- Mineral Tenure Act (MTA) reform - Modernization of mining legislation. Opportunity for a potential phase 3 of MMTO
Launch of a new project to update MTO registry
MTO turned 20 in January 2025! The system needs to be retired and replaced. Launching of a new MTO system is the goal of the MMTO project. Phase 1 of the project is underway to change the current MTO system to align with the MCCF by stopping automatic claim acquisition and enabling consultation on claim applications. Phase 2 is in the design and development stage of a new MTO software system. The new platform will include technology upgrades and replace all the existing functionality of the current MTO.
Benefits of the modernized registry
The modernized MTO registry will include the following features: 
- Easy to use, client-friendly user interface
- Enables customization, automation, and data validation to achieve higher efficiencies for external and internal users so the system is more self serve
- Imbedded work flows so the new system can act as more then just a registry
- Flexible and capable of changing to meet provincial priorities
- Reduced administrative and support time spent by staff in the Mineral Titles Branch (MTB)
- Integrates workflows to be designed in conjunction with First Nations
As such, users can look forward to a modern, stable and reliable platform that is more intuitive for users and enables self-serve where possible.
Timeline
March 2025: Phase 1 release of an updated registry
- New features and system changes will be added to the current MTO registry necessary to implement the Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF)
- Automatic claims registration will stop
- An application process will be introduced that incorporates consultation with First Nations, batching for efficiencies, and decision-making on claims
- Testing on the updated registry will begin in January 2025
March 2026: Phase 2 launch of a solution
- All the existing MTO functionality will be replaced with a new modern software solution
- Claim application workflows will be streamlined
- Modern technology will support user experiences
Contact information
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Mineral Tenure Act Modernization Office
MTA@gov.bc.ca