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Accessibility Statement

Types of Authorizations

Last updated on December 3, 2024

Mining activities often require multiple authorizations from across government. The table below provides information about common regulated activities related to mining and their associated Provincial authorization requirements.

This information is provided for convenience only, and users should confirm authorization requirements with Provincial staff prior to undertaking regulated works or activities. This table does not include authorizations required by federal or local governments. Note that decision making powers may be delegated in accordance with the applicable act.

Key Activities Requiring Authorization
Activity	Act	Authorization	Ministry	Decision Maker	Description
Ability to obtain authorizations for a reviewable project.	Environmental Assessment Act	Environmental Assessment Certificate	EAO	Minister	To obtain authorizations for a reviewable project. Required for any project that meets or exceeds thresholds or are otherwise designated.
Acquire and access mineral title	Mineral Tenure Act	Free Miner Certificate	MCM	n/a	To explore for, acquire and maintain mineral titles and to access mineral title area.
Altering archeological site or removing materials	Heritage Conservation Act	Site Alteration Permit	FOR	Director	To alter or destroy an archeological site, or to remove materials from an archeological site, including culturally modified trees.
Assess the archeological significance of a site	Heritage Conservation Act	Inspection Permit	FOR	Director	To inspect a property for the presence of archaeological deposits, to assess potential impacts to archaeological deposits by a proposed development, to evaluate the significance of the site, and to provide enough information to formulate management recommendations for the site.
Camp construction	Mines Act HSRC	Mines Act Permit	MCM	Chief Permitting Officer	Industrial camps must comply with the Industrial Camp Regulation of the Public Health Act and the HSRC of the Mines Act. Proponents should contact the Regional Health Authority and MCM to determine necessary authorizations.
Camp construction	Public Health Act Industrial Camp Regulation	Industrial Camp Approvals	Regional Health Authority	Environmental Health Officer	Industrial camps must comply with the Industrial Camp Regulation of the Public Health Act and the HSRC of the Mines Act. Proponents should contact the Regional Health Authority and MCM to determine necessary authorizations.
Changes in or about a stream or divert or use water	Water Sustainability Act	Water authorizations (various types)	FOR	Water Manager	To divert, use or store surface water or groundwater, or to make changes in and about a stream.
Clear trees to develop mineral/ coal title over 50 cubic metres	Forest Act	Occupant Licence to Cut	FOR	District Manager	To clear over 50 cubic metres of timber for exploration and mining activities on a mineral or coal title area.
Clear trees to develop mineral/ coal title up to 50 cubic metres	Forest Act	Free Use Permit	MCM	Chief Permitting Officer	To clear up to 50 cubic metres of timber for exploration and mining activities on a mineral or coal title area. If a proponent is completing a notice of work, the free use permit is linked to this electronic application and will be generated as part of that process. If a person already has an exploration permit, they should submit a notice of work to amend the permit to include tree cutting.
Concrete production in a batch plant (permanent or temporary)	Environmental Management Act Concrete and Concrete Products Industry Code of Practice	Registration	ENV	Director	Registration is required for permission to discharge from manufacturing ready-mix concrete and concrete products. Requirements are set for air emissions and discharges of process water.

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Types of Authorizations