Mineral Prospecting and Exploration

Footnotes

  1. Prospecting may, however, be included in the definition of “mining activity” in BC’s Mine Act, which includes any “activities related to the search for minerals”.
  2. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Handbook for Mineral and Coal Exploration in British Columbia: A Working Field Guide (Victoria: Queen’s Printers, 2008) at 3, online: <http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Exploration/Documents/MXHandbook2008-09.pdf>;The United States Bureau of Land Management defines exploration as: “Exploration means creating surface disturbance greater than casual use that includes sampling, drilling, or developing surface or underground workings to evaluate the type, extent, quantity, or quality of mineral values present. Exploration does not include activities where material is extracted for commercial use or sale.” 43 CFR 3809.5 (2011). Queensland, Australia distinguishes high-impact activity, i.e. full-scale exploration, as anything greater than “aerial surveys, geological and surveying field work that does not involve clearing, sampling by hand methods, ground-based geophysical surveys that do not involve clearing, certain drilling and activities associated with drilling, and environmental field work that does not involve clearing.” Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld) ss 482-83.
  3. Exploration activities are regulated under the Mines Act, the Mineral Tenure Act, the Health Safety and Reclamation Code (the HSR Code), and numerous other regulations.
  4. These activities are exempt from the definition of “exploration activities” in BC’s HSR Code, Part 9. For the purposes of this publication, we will be referring to these excluded activities as prospecting activities.
  5. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) p 9.2.1(1), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.; British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mineral and Coal Exploration Notice of Work Application (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2011) online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Permitting-Reclamation/ApplicationForms/Documents/MX_NoW%28Jun21_2011%29.pdf>.
  6. These activities are exempt from the definition of “exploration activities” in BC’s HSR Code, Part 9. For the purposes of this publication, we will be referring to these excluded activities as prospecting activities.
  7. Under section 11 of BC’s Mineral Tenure Act, the right of entry only applies to “mineral lands” which are defined in section 1 as “lands in which minerals or placer minerals or the right to explore for, develop and produce minerals or placer minerals is vested in or reserved to the government, and includes Crown granted 2 post claims”. The minerals or right to the minerals in Indian Reserves do not vest with the provincial government and are therefore not subject to the BC Mineral Tenure Act.
  8. Mineral Tenure Act, BC Reg 529/2004, s 11(2).
  9. Judah Harrison, Too Much At Stake: The Need for Mineral Tenure in BC (Vancouver: Ecojustice, June 2010) at 5.
  10. New Zealand Crown Minerals Act 1991 (NZ) 1991/70, s 54(2).
  11. New Zealand Crown Minerals Act 1991 (NZ) 1991/70, s 80(1).
  12. Mineral Resources Act, 1989 (Qld), ss 25AA, 433-435.
  13. Exploration Regulation, Alta. Reg. 284/2006, s 8(1)(i); Metallic and Industrial Minerals Exploration Regulation, Alta. Reg. 213/1998, s 21.
  14. Mining Act, RSO 2009, c 21, s 7(1).
  15. Department of Interior, Tribal Consultation Policy, 2011, at s V, online: <http://www.doi.gov/cobell/upload/FINAL-Departmental-tribal-consultation-policy.pdf>.
  16. Annie Booth and Norm Skelton, Industry and government perspectives on First Nations’ participation in the British Columbia environmental assessment process (Environmental Impact Assessment Review 31 (2011) 216–225) at 224.
  17. Government of Western Australia, Department of Mines and Petroleum, Regional Standard Heritage Agreement Policy, online: http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/4327.aspx. The ‘fast-track’ process referred to is the expedited procedures regime under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) that allows for certain low impact tenements that are likely to have minimal impact on native title rights to be fast-tracked through a native title process without a ‘right to negotiate’ to apply. See the National Native Title Tribunal’s publication, ‘Fast Tracking the Grant of Some Mining Tenements’ (March 2009), available online at: http://www.nntt.gov.au/Future-Acts/Documents/Fast-tracking%20the%20grant%20of%20some%20mining%20tenements.pdf
  18. Government of Queensland, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Code of Environmental Compliance for Mining Claims and Prospecting Permits (pursuant to Environmental Protection Act 1994, s 49(2) and Environmental Protection Regulation, 2008, schedule 3), online: http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/licences-permits/compliance-codes/pdf/code-mining-claims-prospecting-permits-em587.pdf.
  19. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 10 December 1982, 1833 U.N.T.S. 3, 397; 21 I.L.M. 1261, Annex III: Basic Conditions of Prospecting, Exploration and Exploitation, art 2, s 1(b).
  20. Mines and Minerals Act, CCSM c M162, s 45(1).
  21. Mining Act, RSO 1990, c M 14, s.18(1)
  22. Mining Act, RSQ, c M-13.1, ss 19-20.
  23. Northwest Territories and Nunavut Mining Regulations, CRC, c 1516, ss 7-8.
  24. Northwest Territories and Nunavut Mining Regulations, CRC, c 1516, ss 7-8.
  25. Eva Liedholm Johnson, Mineral Rights: Legal Systems Regulatory Exploration and Exploitation (DCL Thesis, Royal Institute of Technology, 2010) (Stockholm: Royal Institute of Technology, 2010) at 209, online: http://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:300248/FULLTEXT01; Minerals Act SFS 1991:45, (Sweden Minerals Act), c 4, ss 5,6,7.
  26. Eva Liedholm Johnson, Mineral Rights: Legal Systems Regulatory Exploration and Exploitation (DCL Thesis, Royal Institute of Technology, 2010) (Stockholm: Royal Institute of Technology, 2010) at 209, online: http://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:300248/FULLTEXT01; Finland Mining Act of 2011, (19.6.2011/621), ss 8-10.
  27. Mining Law (Law n.º 14/2002 of 26 June, Mozambique), art 7, para 5; Mining Regulations (Decree n.º 62/2006 of 26 December, Mozambique), art 24, para 2 and art 25, para 1.
  28. Eva Liedholm Johnson, Mineral Rights: Legal Systems Regulatory Exploration and Exploitation (DCL Thesis, Royal Institute of Technology, 2010) (Stockholm: Royal Institute of Technology, 2010) at 215, online: http://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:300248/FULLTEXT01; Western Australia, Mining Act 1978 (WA), ss 40-42.
  29. Mineral Resources Act, 1989 (Qld), s 25A.
  30. Mining Act 1992 (NSW), s 32B.
  31. Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 (Vic), s 4(1).
  32. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) at p 9, online: <http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  33. Mineral Tenure Act, RSBS 1996 c 292 s 14(2); Mines Act, RSBC 1996 c 293 ss 10(1),(2). Note that such an exemption, if granted, also exempts the miner from having to comply with the Environmental Management Act, SBC 2003 c 53 s 6(5) as it relates to the discharge of waste; British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008), p 9.2.1, online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>; see British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mineral and Coal Exploration Notice of Work Application (Victoria: 2010), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Permitting-Reclamation/ApplicationForms/Documents/MX_NoW%28Jun21_2011%29.pdf>.
  34. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) p 9.2.1(1), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.; British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mineral and Coal Exploration Notice of Work Application (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2011) online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Permitting-Reclamation/ApplicationForms/Documents/MX_NoW%28Jun21_2011%29.pdf>.
  35. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mineral and Coal Exploration Notice of Work Application (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2011) online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Permitting-Reclamation/ApplicationForms/Documents/MX_NoW%28Jun21_2011%29.pdf>.
  36. National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW), Part 6.
  37. See New South Wales Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, Due Diligence Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Object sin New South Wales (13 September 2010), online: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/cultureheritage/ddcop/10798ddcop.pdf. See also, New South Wales Mineral Council Ltd, NSW Mineral Industry Due Diligence, Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Objects, (Sydney: New South Wales Minerals Council Ltd, 2010) at s 3, online: <http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/cultureheritage/ddcop/ddcop-minco.pdf>.
  38. Mines and Minerals Development Act, (No 7 of 2008) Zambia, ss 14(1)(e),(f).
  39. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) p 9.2.1(1), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>. Notice of Work must include details of actions designed to minimize any adverse impacts of the proposed activity.
  40. Koh Naito, Felix Remy and John P Williams, Review of Legal and Fiscal Frameworks for Exploration and Mining (London: Mining Journal Books Ltd, 2001) at 135; The Minerals Law of Mongolia (Amended Version, 2006), arts 38, 39 and 40.
  41. Mines and Minerals Development Act, (No 7 of 2008) Zambia, s 14(1)(c).
  42. Mines Act, RSBC 1996 c 293 s 10(1). Note that this requirement is subject to the Chief Inspector’s discretion to exempt proponents to obtain a permit.
  43. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mineral and Coal Exploration Notice of Work Application (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2011) online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Permitting-Reclamation/ApplicationForms/Documents/MX_NoW%28Jun21_2011%29.pdf>.
  44. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mineral and Coal Exploration Notice of Work Application (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2011) online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Permitting-Reclamation/ApplicationForms/Documents/MX_NoW%28Jun21_2011%29.pdf>.
  45. 43 CFR § 3809.
  46. OR Rev Stat, § 517.750(13) (2009); NM Stat, § 69-36-13(C)(2) (2010).
  47. Mines and Minerals Act, CCSM c M162, ss 74, 111. An advanced exploration project (“AEP”) is defined as including excavation, construction, watercourse manipulation for bulk sampling purposes, bulk sample removal of 500 tonnes of material for testing, or any project that is prescribed as an AEP.
  48. Mining Act 1978 (Western Australia), s 58.
  49. Mineral Law, (Vietnam, September 1, 1996), art 28.
  50. Mozambique Mining Regulation (Decree nº 62/2006 of 26 December), art 21, para 3.
  51. Mining Law No 1/92, (Angola, 1992) s 5(3).
  52. Mines and Minerals (Malawi, LRO 1/1985) c 61.01, s 27(4).
  53. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, The Mining Process in British Columbia, Canada (Victoria: Ministry of Mines, Energy and Petroleum Resources), online: <http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Titles/MineralTitles/Pub/Documents/general/Mining_Process_BC.pdf>.
  54. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) p 10.2.2, online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  55. Mining Act, RSO 1990, c M 14, s 78.2(1).
  56. Mining Act 1992, (NSW), s 32F(2).
  57. Mining Act 1992, (NSW), s 13A(1).
  58. Mining Act 1978 (WA), s74. Also see Environmental Defender’s Office of Western Australia (Inc) Mining Law Fact Sheet (updated January 2011) and available at: http://www.edowa.org.au/files/factsheets/me_mining.pdf
  59. Mining Act, RSO 1990, c M 14, s 78.3(2).
  60. Philippine Mining Act of 1995, (Rep Act 7942) ss 4, 16; National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Administrative Order No 3, Series of 2002, Philippines.
  61. Mineral Resources Act (Qld), s 488(3).
  62. New Zealand Crown Minerals Act 1991 (NZ) 1991/70, s 54(2).
  63. New Zealand Crown Minerals Act 1991 (NZ) 1991/70, s 80(1).
  64. Act of 19 June 2009 No 101 (Norway Minerals Act), c 14, s 19.
  65. See for example, Duncastle Signs Exploration Access Agreement with First Nations at Porphyry Creek (May 3, 2010), online: MarketWire, <http://www.www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4080679>; Taku River Tlingit First Nation, Eagle Plains and Prize Mining Sign Impact & Benefit Agreement for Yellowjacket Gold Project (9 November, 2009), online: BusinessWire, <http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091109005319/en/Taku-River-Tlingit-Nation-Eagle-Plains-Prize/>.
  66. Canada, Department of Mining Information Kit for Aboriginal Communities (Ottawa: Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2006) at 12.
  67. William A. Price, “Prediction Manual for Drainage Chemistry from Sulphide Geologic Materials” Smithers, BC, December 2009, MEND Report 1.20.1, version 0, Natural Resources Canada at 6-2.
  68. Government of Canada, Mining Information Kit for Aboriginal Communities (Ottawa: Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2006) at 12.
  69. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, GA Res 61/295, UNGAOR, 61st Sess, Supp No 53, UN Doc A/RES/61/295, (2007) [UNDRIP], art 22.
  70. Mining Act 1992 (NSW) s 13(5)(b).
  71. Mines and Minerals Development Act, (No 7 of 2008) Zambia, s 15(1)(a).
  72. Mining Act 1992 (Consolidated to No 49 of 2000, Papua New Guinea), s 24(b)(ii).
  73. Mining Act 1978 (WA), s58.
  74. Bill 79 – An Act to amend the Mining Act, 1st Sess, 39th Leg, Quebec, 2010 cl 232.4 (adopted in principle by the legislative assembly on October 21, 2010).
  75. Mines and Minerals Act, RSA 2000, c M-17, s 109(1)(a).
  76. The Minerals Law (Afghanistan), 2010, art 14(2).
  77. Mineral Tenure Act, RSBC 1996, c 292 s 10.
  78. NMex Stat § 69-36-13(B) (2010).
  79. Mines and Minerals Development Act, (No 7 of 2008) Zambia, s 15(3)(b).
  80. Mining Act 1992 (NSW), s 22(2)(a).
  81. Eva Liedholm Johnson, Mineral Rights: Legal Systems Regulatory Exploration and Exploitation (DCL Thesis, Royal Institute of Technology, 2010) (Stockholm: Royal Institute of Technology, 2010) at 71, online: <http://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:300248/FULLTEXT01>.
  82. Mozambique Mining Regulation (Decree nº 62/2006 of 26 December), art 41.
  83. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) ps 10.3.1, 10.3.3, online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  84. Metallic and Industrial Minerals Exploration Regulation, Alta Reg 213/1998, s 37(2).
  85. Eva Liedholm Johnson, Mineral Rights: Legal Systems Regulatory Exploration and Exploitation (DCL Thesis, Royal Institute of Technology, 2010) (Stockholm: Royal Institute of Technology, 2010) at 214, online: <http://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:300248/FULLTEXT01>.
  86. Regulation 146 of the Mining Regulations 1981 (WA). See also Eva Liedholm Johnson, Mineral Rights: Legal Systems Regulatory Exploration and Exploitation (DCL Thesis, Royal Institute of Technology, 2010) (Stockholm: Royal Institute of Technology, 2010) at 215, online: <http://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:300248/FULLTEXT01>.
  87. Mines Act, RSBC 1996 c 293, s 10(4). Note that if security is deposited for mineral exploration activities, the miner is exempt from the requirement to remediate the site under the Environmental Management Act, SBC 2003, c 53, s 66(1)(b). In addition, the regulatory authority: may not issue remediation orders to current or previous owner or operator of an exploration site (s 66(2)); may not issue a pollution prevention order or a pollution abatement order to a previous owner or operator of an exploration site (ss 66(2), (3)); and may not require or accept security remediation of an exploration or advanced exploration site (ss 66(4), 67).
  88. BC First Nations Energy & Mining Council, BC First Nations Mineral Exploration and Mining: Action Plan (West Vancouver: BC First Nations Energy & Mining Council, 2008) at 19.
  89. Mont Code Ann201, § 82-4-332; N Mex Stat 2011, § 69-36-13(E).
  90. Colo Rev Stat, § 34-32-113(4)(a).
  91. Colo Rev Stat, § 34-32-113(6).
  92. Koh Naito, Felix Remy and John P Williams, Review of Legal and Fiscal Frameworks for Exploration and Mining (London: Mining Journal Books Ltd, 2001) at 137; The Minerals Law of Mongolia (Amended Version, 2006), art 29.7.
  93. Código de Minas, (Law 685 of 2001, Colombia).
  94. Mineral Tenure Act, RSBC 1996, c 292, s 14(5)(e).
  95. Mineral Tenure Act, RSBC 1996, c 292, s 1.
  96. Heritage Conservation Act, RSBC 1996, c 187, s 13.
  97. The Archeological Branch has adopted this provision to include all First Nations’ ancestral burial sites. Ewan Anderson, Heritage Resource Specialist, Archaeology Branch, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, personal communication, October 20, 2011.
  98. These sites/objects are only afforded protection under the Act where there is physical evidence of historical human use. Ewan Anderson, Heritage Resource Specialist, Archaeology Branch, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, personal communication, October 20, 2011.
  99. Mineral Tenure Act Regulation, BC Reg 529/2004, s 11.
  100. Heritage Conservation Act, RSBC 1996, c 187, s 12.
  101. BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources, “Archaeology Frequently Asked Questions”, Q 12, online: <http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/archaeology/faq.htm>.
  102. Although there is no written requirement to consult First Nations under the Heritage Conservation Act, the Provincial government’s Archeological Branch is required to do so as part of the Crown’s duty to consult First Nations and the Crown’s administrative law duty to consult interested third parties, which in this case includes First Nations.
  103. For example, trees that were culturally modified after 1846 are not afforded automatic protection under the Heritage Conservation Act.
  104. Heritage Conservation Act, RSBC 1996, c 187, s 9.
  105. See the Draft First Nation Heritage Action Plan, online: <http://fnbc.info/draft-first-nations-heritage-action-plan-and-appendices>.
  106. Heritage Conservation Act, RSBC 1996, c 187, s 4.
  107. Heritage Conservation Act, RSBC 1996, c 187, s 4(4)(a). This provision offers similar protection to that provided in New Zealand which states that: “On the request of an iwi, a minerals programme may provide that defined areas of land of particular importance to its mana are excluded from the operation of the minerals programme or shall not be included in any permit.” (Crown Minerals Act 1991 (NZ) 1991/70, s 15(3)).
  108. Local Government Act, RSBC 1996 c 323 s 967; Vancouver Charter, SBC 1953 c 55, s 593.
  109. Local Government Act, RSBC 1996 c 323 s 970.1(3)(b).
  110. New South Wales Minerals Council Ltd, NSW Mineral Industry Due Diligence, Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Objects, (Sydney: New South Wales Minerals Council Ltd, 2010) s 2, online: <http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/cultureheritage/ddcop/ddcop-minco.pdf>.
  111. Government of British Columbia, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, “Archeology: Procedures for Reporting Finds” available online at <http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/archaeology/reporting_archaeological_artifact_finds/procedures_for_reporting_finds.htm>
  112. British Columbia Association of Professional Archaeologists, Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Grievance Procedure, Port Moody: British Columbia Association of Professional Archaeologists, s 18.
  113. Quartz Mining Land Use Regulation, OIC 2003/64 (Yukon), Schedule 1, s 9.
  114. Quartz Mining Land Use Regulation, OIC 2003/64 (Yukon), Schedule 1, s 9.
  115. Quartz Mining Land Use Regulation, OIC 2003/64 (Yukon), Schedule 1, s 8.
  116. New South Wales Minerals Council Ltd, NSW Minerals Industry Due Diligence Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Objects 5-6 (2010), online: <http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/cultureheritage/ddcop/ddcop-minco.pdf>.
  117. New South Wales Mineral Council Ltd, NSW Mineral Industry Due Diligence, Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Objects, (Sydney: New South Wales Minerals Council Ltd, 2010) at 5-6, online: <http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/cultureheritage/ddcop/ddcop-minco.pdf>.
  118. New South Wales Mineral Council Ltd, NSW Mineral Industry Due Diligence, Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Objects, (Sydney: New South Wales Minerals Council Ltd, 2010) s 3, online: <http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/cultureheritage/ddcop/ddcop-minco.pdf>. See also the New South Wales Government’s Department of Environment and Heritage:  http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/licences/AboriginalHeritageInformationManagementSystem.htm
  119. See Queensland Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs website at: http://www.datsima.qld.gov.au/atsis/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-peoples/indigenous-cultural-heritage/cultural-heritage-database-and-register-search-request.
  120. British Columbia, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Accessing Archaeological Data (Victoria: Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, 2009) online: <http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/archaeology/accessing_archaeological_data/index.htm>.
  121. Ewan Anderson, Heritage Resource Specialist, Archaeology Branch, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, personal communication, October 20, 2011.
  122. Canada, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Mining Information Kit for Aboriginal Communities (Ottawa: Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2006) at 16.
  123. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008), ss 9.4 – 9.13, online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  124. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) Table 9.1, online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  125. Seth Wenger, A Review of the Scientific Literature on Riparian Buffer Width, Extent and Vegetation, (Athens: University of Georgia’s Institute of Ecology, 1999), online: <http://www.chathamnc.org/WatershedReviewBoard/supporting_documents/stream_buffers/LitReviewRiparianBuffers.pdf>.
  126. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) p 9.5.1(1), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>. Not only may BC’s setbacks distances be inadequate, they do not apply to other explorations activities, such as reclamation of stream crossings; access from water landings for the purpose of servicing exploration camps and equipment; access to set up and service water supply pumps and lines; and access to service drill sites.
  127. Mineral Industry Environmental Protection Regulations, 1996, RRS c E-10.2 Reg 7, s 24(4).
  128. O Reg 349/98, ss 3(1)(a) and (b). However, these setbacks may be overridden by a work permit or an instrument granted under the Public Lands Act.
  129. Mines and Minerals Act, CCSM c M162, s 96(1).
  130. British Columbia, Legislative Assembly, Debates, 32nd Leg. 2nd sess., (14 August 1980); No. OIC 2009/208 2009 BC Gaz (Environment and Land Use Act): “The chief inspector under the Mines Act must not a) issue a permit under section 10 of the Mines Act in relation to exploration for uranium or thorium b) exempt any person under section 10 (2) of the Mines Act from the requirement to obtain a permit under section 10 of that Act in relation to exploration for uranium or thorium”.
  131. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) pts 2.3.11 and 11.4.6 online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  132. Eva Liedholm Johnson, Mineral Rights: Legal Systems Regulatory Exploration and Exploitation (DCL Thesis, 2010: Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm) at 157 note 779, online: <http://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:300248/FULLTEXT01>. “A person discovering uranium anywhere in Australia must report that discovery in writing to the Commonwealth Minister according to the Commonwealth Atomic Energy Act 1953”.
  133. Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, (Act 703, Ghana), s 15(1).
  134. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008), s 9.10.1, online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  135. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008), s 9.10.1, online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  136. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) ps 9.10.1 online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  137. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) p 9.10.1(6), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  138. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) p 9.10.1(7), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  139. Quartz Mining Land Use Regulation, Y O/C 2003/64, Schedule 1, s 35.
  140. Mineral Regulations, NL R 1143/96, s 45.
  141. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) p 9.12.1(1), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  142. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) p 9.12.1(2), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  143. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) p 9.12.1(3), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  144. Quartz Mining Land Use Regulation, Y O/C 2003/64, Schedule 1, s 10.
  145. Quartz Mining Land Use Regulation, Y O/C 2003/64, Schedule 1, s 11.
  146. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008), s 9.13.1(1), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  147. Mines and Minerals Development Act, (No 7 of 2008) Zambia, s 19(1)(h).
  148. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) p 9.11.1(1), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  149. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) pts 9.11.1(2)-(6), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  150. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Handbook for Mineral and Coal Exploration, (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) at 84-85 online: <http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Exploration/Documents/MXHandbook2008-09.pdf>.
  151. Exploration Regulation, Alta Reg 284/2006, s 45(1)(a).
  152. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008), s 9.9.1, online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  153. Quartz Mining Land Use Regulation, Y O/C 2003/64, Schedule 1, s 12.
  154. Quartz Mining Land Use Regulation, Y O/C 2003/64, Schedule 1, s 28.
  155. Quartz Mining Land Use Regulation, Y O/C 2003/64, Schedule 1, s 29.
  156. Quartz Mining Land Use Regulation, Y O/C 2003/64, Schedule 1, s 32.
  157. Drilling Regulation, Man Reg 63/1992, s 2; See also Metallic and Industrial Minerals Exploration Regulation, Alta Reg 213/1998, ss 30 and 33.
  158. Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988 (as amended to 18 January 2000, India), s 59; Mining Act 1992 (Consolidated to No 49 of 2000, Papau New Guinea), s 162.
  159. Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Republic of Ghana Act 703, s 13(13).
  160. Drilling Regulation, Man Reg 63/1992, s 10.
  161. Mining Act of 2011 (Finland), c 2, s 15.
  162. Drilling Regulation, Man Reg 63/1992, s 8.
  163. Mines and Minerals (Cap 66:01, Botswana 1977), s 21(3)(a).
  164. Exploration Regulation, Alta Reg 284/2006, s 48; Metallic and Industrial Minerals Exploration Regulation, Alta Reg 213/1998, s 31.
  165. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum resources, Mining Exploration Handbook, (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) at 86, online: <http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Exploration/Documents/MXHandbook2008-09.pdf>.
  166. Exploration Regulation, Alta Reg 284/2006, s 45(1); Exploration Regulation, Alta Reg 284/2006, ss 50-51; Metallic and Industrial Minerals Exploration Regulation, Alta Reg 213/1998, s 32.
  167. Drilling Regulation, Man Reg 63/1992, s 6(1).
  168. Drilling Regulation, Man Reg. 63/1992, s 7.
  169. Colo Rev Stat, § 34-32-113(5.5)(c) (2011).
  170. Or Rev Stat, § 517.730(1) (2012).
  171. Mines and Minerals Act, RSA 2000, c M-17, s 107(2); Exploration Regulation, Alta Reg 284/2006, s 41.
  172. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) pt 9.13.1(1), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  173. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) pt 9.13.1(2), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>. Unless (a) the sides of the pit or trench are sloped to a stable and safe angle as determined by a qualified person, or the pit or trench is fenced to prevent inadvertent access, and (b) there is a means of egress.
  174. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) pt 9.10.1(6), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  175. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) pt 9.10.1(6), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  176. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) pt 9.13.1(3), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>.
  177. British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) pt 9.13.1(4), online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>; British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Victoria: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 2008) pt 9.6.1, online: <http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/HealthandSafety/Documents/HSRC2008.pdf>. Exploration activities must be carried out in a manner that minimizes soil loss so that the site can be reasonably reclaimed to support appropriate self-sustaining vegetation.
  178. Quartz Mining Land Use Regulation, Y O/C 2003/64, Schedule 1, s.7.
  179. Saskatchewan, Mineral Exploration and Government Advisory Committee, Mineral Exploration Guidelines For Saskatchewan (Regina: Queen’s Printer Saskatchewan, 2005), at 55.

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  6. 6Environmental Assessment for Mining Activities
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  9. 9Mine Closure and Post Closure
  10. 10Securing the Cost of Mine Clean-up

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