More topics

Quarry permit applications

Last updated on November 24, 2025

Quarry production activities require a permit under the Mines Act. A quarry is defined as a mine where mining activities related to construction aggregate, industrial minerals, or dimension stone take place.

A regional Mines Act permit must be in place before any work in, on, or about a mine can occur.

Mechanized work includes any disturbance or excavation of the ground, such as:

  • Drilling
  • Excavation, trenching and test pits
  • Site reclamation
  • Developing access via road, water or air, etc. 
  • Crushing and mechanical screening

On this page

Legislation

Additional mining legislation

Key legislation and regulations for mineral exploration and mining in B.C.

​Guidance documents

Guides, brochures, policies and best management documents specific to the authorization type can be found on the Mine permitting guidance document page.

Regional mine permitting

Notice of Work applications

Applications for construction aggregate quarries or industrial mineral quarries must submit a Notice of Work (NoW) application under section 10 of the Mines Act.

Expand All | Collapse All
 

Exceptions

The following non-invasive exploration activities may not require a permit, such as: 

  • Airborne geophysical surveying
  • Baseline data acquisition, such as mapping, taking photos, and measuring water quality
  • Ground geophysical surveying without the use of exposed electrodes
  • Establishment of grid lines that does not require the felling of trees. If tree felling and/or vegetation disturbance is proposed, an authorization under the Forest Act may be required
  • Geological and geochemical (soil or rock) sampling conducted using hand-held tools
  • Pitting, trenching, drilling, or channel cutting using hand-held tools, consistent with the following:
    • No use of explosives or expanding grout
    • The total volume of each pit or trench does not exceed 3 cubic metres in volume
    • Each pit or trench does not exceed 1.2 metres in depth
    • The cumulative total of all un-reclaimed pits and/or trenches does not exceed five pits and/or trenches at any one time
    • Not conducted within a stream and/or the riparian setback

For more information see Information Update 38 (PDF, 462KB).

Some exploration activities proposed for an existing permit may be deemed authorized under the Mines Act Permit regulation. Permittees must submit notification to the ministry through a notice of deemed authorization.

 

Quarry production authorizations

Quarry production authorizations allow applicants to produce rock over the life of the mine. 

Applicants must identify the exact locations, proposed disturbance, and any timber cutting associated with each proposed activity over the entire authorization period.

For applicants exploring for industrial minerals a mineral exploration (MX) permit may be required before applying for a quarry permit. Contact a mines office with any questions. Some examples of industrial minerals include:

  • Limestone
  • Silica
  • Gypsum
  • Barite
  • Pumice

Notice of Work process

Applicant responsibilities

Expand All | Collapse All
 

Gather information

Submitting an application and understanding operational requirements can be complex.

Take the time to review handbooks, guidance documents, policies and best practices.

Early engagement with First Nations is beneficial for industry in developing and maintaining strong relationships with Indigenous nations and may support future consultation processes by the province. 

Understand other provincial, federal or local legislation that may require authorizations. This includes other tenure holders with interests in the land base. Use the tools available to determine overlaps.

Agricultural land

Assess whether the project area is within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). Submit an application for a Soil and Fill Notice of Intent to the local government for initial review. The Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) reviews applications supported by the local government. Applications on ALR land must be approved by the ALC before a permit is issued.

Licence of Occupation, Crown land

Authorization under the Land Act is required for the extraction of aggregate material or construction stone. 

 

Submit application

Apply for or amend a section 10 permit under the Mines Act:

A Notice of Work application includes a mine plan, maps, a reclamation plan and mine closure plans. 

What's next? Review the proponents guide to the Notice of Work application process.

 

Sign up for MineSpace

MineSpace is an application for industry to manage applications, view permits and inspection history, and submit reports.

​​

Ministry staff responsibilities

Expand All | Collapse All
 

Intake and review

Application is reviewed and screened for completeness.

Application undergoes technical review by the permitting inspector:

 

Consultation and referral

Consultation of the application with First Nations.

Referral to other ministries, natural resource authorization holders and/or the public.

 

Public engagement

Application may include public engagement.

 

Recommendations

Final review of the application, consultation and referral information, and engagement with the proponent for any changes required.

 

Decision

Decision is made whether to authorize proposed activities.

  • Permit issued with a work authorization and conditions 
  • Requirement for annual report
  • Mine inspector has delegated authority from the Chief Permitting Officer
  • Documented in MineSpace

 

Contact information

Mines contact information:

  • Regional mines offices
  • Mines incident reporting
  • Mines inquiries and complaints
  • Geological survey
  • Major mines
  • Mine health and safety
  • Mines auditing
  • Mineral titles