McGuinty Government Prepares To Gather Input On Regulations
Public feedback on regulations for the province’s modernized Mining Act will begin to be collected in the New Year.
Broad-based consultations with First Nation and Métis communities, mineral industry stakeholders and interested members of the public will be held from January to June 2010 in many Northern communities. Letters, emails and phone calls will be accepted starting in January.
A workbook is now available to guide public comments and consultations. It provides a framework on the “ground rules” that will be implemented within Ontario’s new Mining Act. These include:
requirement for exploration plans and permits
Aboriginal consultation
a dispute resolution process for Aboriginal concerns
map staking
protection of sites of Aboriginal cultural significance
details of the awareness program for prospectors
provisions for the withdrawal of Crown-held mineral rights on private land.
The workbook is being issued now to give everyone time to carefully consider how Ontario can successfully develop and implement the new regulations.
QUICK FACTS
Ontario’s new Mining Act received royal assent on October 28, 2009 after extensive public consultation and legislative review.
In 2006, mining accounted for approximately one of every 45 Canadian jobs.
Canadian miners earn, on average, more than $1,000 a week – the highest pay levels of any Canadian industry.
In Ontario, each mining industry employee accounts for $660,000 of annual output.
LEARN MORE
Download a copy of the Mining Act Modernization workbook
Find information about Ontario’s new Mining Act
Watch a video describing the activities of our Mines and Minerals Division
Ontario’s New Mining Act
