Sand and gravel permit applications
Last updated on March 28, 2025Many sand and gravel pit development activities require a permit under the Mines Act.
A 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:
- Drilling
- Excavation, trenching and test pits
- Site reclamation
- Developing access via road, water or air, etc.
- Crushing and mechanical screening
- Washing and settling ponds
- Construction of buildings and other infrastructure
Legislation
- Section 39 of the Land Act - aggregate on Crown land
- Part 5 of the Land Act - aggregate on private land
- Section 10 of the Mines Act
- Agricultural Land Commission Act - areas within the agricultural land reserve (ALR)
- Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia
- Part 10.1.1 for placer mining, sand and gravel pits, rock quarries and industrial mineral quarries
- ​10.1.1(1) - mapping requirements
- 10.4.1 - mine plan update (PDF, 350.9KB), every 5 years
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 Mining guidance document page.
Did you know?
The Aggregate Mine Application Guide (PDF, 950KB) helps proponents prepare mine permit applications for aggregate pits and quarries.
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Regional mine permitting
Notice of Work applications
Applications for sand, gravel, quarry/aggregate resource development permits under section 10 of the Mines Act are known as Notices of Work (NoW) applications.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure pits
Mines operating exclusively by or for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure are exempt from permit requirements.
Exemptions for aggregate testing under the Lands Act
Any person may access Crown land to undertake aggregate testing. See sections 7, 8.4, and Appendix 2 of the land use policy permission (PDF, 390KB).
There are two types of Notice of Work authorizations: ​
Exploration authorization allows applicants to carry out proposed sand and gravel activities over a period of one to five years.
Applicants must identify the exact locations, proposed disturbance, and timber cutting for each proposed activity over the entire authorization period.
Production authorization allows applicants to carry out proposed sand and gravel activities over the life of mine.
Applicants must identify the exact locations, proposed disturbance, and timber cutting for each proposed activity over the entire authorization period.
Deemed authorization
Certain activities referred to in the Mines Act Permit regulation are deemed authorized with an existing Mines Act permit and submission of notification.
Find out which activities are deemed authorized under this regulation.
​ Notice of Work process
Applicant responsibilities
Submitting an application and understanding operational requirements can be complex.
Take the time to 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 in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). Submit an application for a Soil and Fill Notice of Intent to local government for review first. The Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) reviews applications supported by the local government. Applications in ALR land must be approved bythe 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.
Apply for or amend a section 10 permit under the Mines Act:
- Fill out the online application from FrontCounterBC
- ​Proponent pays for permit fees
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.
Administrative amendments
Administrative amendments do not change the approved operation.
MineSpace is an application for industry to manage applications, view permits and inspection history, and submit reports.
Mine plan update policy
Sand, gravel and quarry operators: If you have an existing permit check the Mine Plan Update policy to determine if you need to submit a Notice of Work (NoW).
Fill in the Self-Assessment and Declaration form found at the end of the policy document. Material and boundary changes to the currently approved mine plan require an amendment to the Mines Act permit. Submit the proposed mine plan amendment as a Notice of Work application.
Ministry staff responsibilities
Application is reviewed and screened for completeness.
Application undergoes technical review by the permitting inspector:
- Confirmation of compliance with the Mines Act and Health, Safety and Reclamation Code
- Calculate reclamation security bond
Consultation of the application with First Nations occurs.
Referral to other ministries, natural resource authorization holders and/or the public.
Application may include public engagement.
Final review of the application, consultation and referral information, and engagement with the proponent for any changes required
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
- Regional mines offices
- Mines incident reporting
- Mines inquiries and complaints
- Geological survey
- Major mines
- Mine health and safety
- Mines auditing
- Mineral titles