The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) has created the present document to assist its members identify and apply practices that support responsible mineral exploration activity ^[1] and also provide a sound base for subsequent action should a mine be brought into production.  The content of this document has been assembled to guide the actions of explorers ^[2] and should not be construed as standards of performance.  Rather, the intention is to encourage implementation of good practices and encourage innovation that will improve social, environmental and economic performance while maintaining or enhancing shareholder value.  This document has been prepared with broad multi-stakeholder input over a period of more than 18 months. 

The overall purpose of this document is to provide a set of Principles to which all explorers should aspire, together with Guidance which illustrates what is required to convert the Principles into action.  As such, it is anticipated that, while the Principles will be common to all situations, their practical implementation will vary in terms of scope and intensity of application depending on individual project characteristics, which will differ from place to place and over time.  

This version of the Principles and Guidance is presented as a living document subject to modification and improvement as experience is gained and circumstances change.  Accordingly, the PDAC will establish an ongoing mechanism for review and revision that incorporates the views and opinions of all interested parties.