Overview of Mineral Exploration and Development Regulations in Ontario Municipality of Trent Lakes March 8, 2018

Transcription

1 Overview of Mineral Exploration and Development Regulations in Ontario Municipality of Trent Lakes March 8, 2018 Shannon Dennie Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

2 Presentation Content 2 1. Provide general context, i.e. the purpose of the Mining Act 2. Regulatory responsibilities/requirements under the Mining Act 3. Provide overview of exploration plans and permits Regulatory responsibilities process works and the activities 4. Provide overview of Advanced Exploration, Mine Production and Closure Regulatory responsibilities 5. Identify how exploration and development can interact with local businesses

3 The purpose of the Mining Act 3 The Mining Act is the provincial legislation that governs and regulates prospecting, mineral exploration, mine development and rehabilitation in Ontario. Purpose: Encourage prospecting, staking and exploration for the development of mineral resources In a manner consistent with the recognition and affirmation of existing Aboriginal and treaty rights (in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982), including the duty to consult Minimize the impact of these activities on public health and safety and the environment

4 Background 4 In November, 2012 a series of new Regulations, made under the Mining Act were introduced including Early Exploration Plans & Permits. MNDM has: Taken a graduated approach to consultation, ensuring that appropriate notice and opportunity to express concerns are provided, particularly as activities advance and potential for impacts increase, Ensured that it is able to directly process and address concerns, where necessary Provided greater clarity about roles and responsibilities Provided enough flexibility in its regulatory scheme so that additional efforts can be taken, where necessary

5 The Exploration & Development Sequence 5

6 Prospecting and Staking 6

7 Graduated Regulatory Approach 7 EXPLORATION PLANS Geophysical surveys that require a power generator Line cutting where the width of the line is 1.5 m or less Early Exploration Activities EXPLORATION PERMITS Line cutting where the width of the line is >1.5 m Advanced Exploration and Mine Production Other advanced exploration triggers include: Requirements for new or expanded underground mine workings; Reopening of underground workings (e.g., removal of bulkheads, caps, excavation of backfill shafts) Existing rehabilitation work. Drilling drills <150kg in weight Drilling drills >150kg in weight All advanced exploration activities are subject to closure plans. Mechanized stripping where the total surface area stripped is <100 m 2, within a 200 m radius Pitting and trenching 1-3m 3 in volume, within a 200 m radius Mechanized stripping where the total surface area stripped is >100 m 2, within a 200 m radius Pitting and trenching >3m 3 in volume, within a 200 m radius Mechanized stripping where the total area stripped is >10,000 m 2 of surface area, or >10,000 m 3 within 500 m radius; or >2,500 m 2 of surface area, or >2,500 m 3 of volume within 100 m of a body of water Test pitting and trenching >1,000 metric tonnes (350 m 3 ), within a radius of 500 m

8 Exploration Plans & Exploration Permits 8 MINING ACT section 78.2 and 78.3 No person shall carry out an activity prescribed for the purposes of these sections on a Mining claim, Lease, Or licence of occupation Unless the person has submitted an exploration plan (that is active) or been issued an exploration permit Ontario Regulation 308/12 Defines the process and thresholds for exploration plan and exploration permit activities

9 Early Exploration Activities 9 Examples of Early Exploration Activities that are regulated: Line Cutting Ground Geophysics requiring a generator Pitting and Trenching Mechanized Stripping Mechanized Drilling

10 Exploration Permit Process 10 Ongoing industry and Aboriginal community consultation Proponent submits exploration permit application to surface rights owner and MNDM (incl. report documenting any Aboriginal consultation) 5 calendar days (service standard) MNDM circulates to Aboriginal communities, Municipalities, and posts on Environmental Registry calendar days Environmental Registry posting (30 days) public can comment, as can Municipality: MNDM considers any comments received Aboriginal communities and surface rights owner review: Provide any comments / MNDM considers any comments received (up to 50 days) Issue exploration permit / Post decision on Environmental Registry (including terms and conditions) Circulation Date Can outstanding issues / concerns arising from impacts to Aboriginal and treaty rights or other matters be resolved within the day period? YES NO Temporary Hold: To facilitate outstanding conerns relating to Aboriginal condultation To mediate Aboriginal disputes To align timelines with other processes (i.e. section 52 bulk sample or section 51 surface rights restrictions) 10

11 Early Exploration Employment Opportunities 11 The following lists some common exploration activities that local businesses could support or provide Labour for geophysical contractors, line-cutters, diamond drilling, geological or geotechnical contractors Equipment rentals power washers, back hoes, excavators, jack hammers (and labour associated with) Delivery services transportation of samples, supplies Road building, trail building, field camp set ups Lodging and/or cooks, camp supplies Supplies groceries, general equipment Office and Storage areas short term rental periods

12 Advanced Exploration 12 Advanced exploration begins when a company believes it has discovered a deposit and needs to determine if it is economically viable. Advanced Exploration activities may include: The excavation of an exploratory shaft, adit or decline, or re-opening of an existing one. Excavation greater than 1,000 tonnes Surface stripping greater than 10,000 m 2 or greater than 10,000 m 3 The installation of a mill for test purposes. Exploration that may alter, destroy, remove or impair any rehabilitation work made in accordance with Part VII of the Act, or a filed closure plan

13 Requirements for Advanced Exploration before beginning 13 Requirements by MNDM before Advanced Exploration can begin (as defined in previous slide): Convert existing mining claims into leases Submitting a Notice of Project Status to the Mineral Exploration and Development Section Consulting with all required parties Filing a closure plan with accompanying financial assurance and certification Acquire all required permits/approvals

14 Advanced Exploration 14

15 Advanced Exploration 15

16 Mine Development and Production 16 Development is the process of constructing a mining facility and the infrastructure to support it. Mine Development may involve activities such as: The preparation of the mine site by clearing trees and blasting rock The construction of mining facilities such as head frames, administration buildings or mechanical shops The creation of infrastructure such as power lines and substations, roads or water lines Requirements needed before Development: Submitting a Notice of Project Status to the Mineral Exploration and Development Section Consulting with all required parties Filing a closure plan with accompanying financial assurance Acquire all required permits/approvals

17 Closure Plans - Overview 17 Closure Plans are required for both Advanced Exploration and Mine Production The company, called the proponent in the legislation, is fully responsible to create and document the closure plan to the standards set out in O. Reg. 240/00 The proponent must certify many of the specific requirements of the closure plan; some of these certificates must be submitted by officers of the company, others by Professional Engineers The proponent must conduct public notice and consult with affected Aboriginal people The completed document is reviewed by staff of MNDM, other Ontario ministries and agencies, some federal departments and agencies, affected municipalities and affected Aboriginal people Review begins when suitable financial assurance is deposited with Ontario by the proponent

18 Mine Production 18 Barrick Gold Corp. Williams Mine

19 Advanced Exploration, Mine Development and Production Employment Opportunities 19 The following lists some common services and supplies that local businesses could provide: Environmental studies labour monitoring & surveying Road building, site preparation labour, equipment Construction labour, equipment Camp Maintenance - lodging, supplies, catering, for crews Fabrication products needed for building/infrastructure for development Medical Services (nursing, first aid) Supplies - equipment and goods Transportation air and ground

20 Long Term Benefits - Mining 20 A significant share of the impacts of a new mine stay in the local area. For example, for an open pit gold mine in production, over 1,350 of the total of 1,800 jobs generated are local. For an underground mine, almost 1,700 of the 2,200 jobs generated are in the broad local area. An important share of the local jobs require lessspecialized preparation or training that can be learned on the job. Ex) in the production phase of a new open pit mine, of the over 1,350 local jobs, 25% require only Secondary School or Specific Occupation Training, and a further 12% require only On-the-Job training. Ref: OMA The Economic Impacts of a New Gold Mine in Ontario, Oct. 2014

21 Closure: Limit hazards, maintain safety, restoration and rehabilitation 21 Denison Mine Pre-Closure Coldstream Mine Post-Closure Denison Mine Post-Closure Coldstream Mine Pre-Closure

22 Thank You! Questions? Mineral Exploration and Development Section 22 Regional Supervisor Sudbury (South) Tony Scarr Toll Free: Website: Administrative Assistant Katrina Lauzon MEDC Karen Kettles MEDC Dave Bell MEDC Shannon Dennie