The Ontario Ministry of Northern Development of Mines (MNDM) is conducting a 60-day public consultation on possible changes to claim staking and mineral exploration rules on property where the mining rights and surface rights are held separately.
The objectives of the changes are to address concerns of surface rights holders and to provide the mineral exploration industry with certainty of investment through clearer rules for exploration.
The consultation period began on July 18 and ends on Sept. 16.
A summary of the changes is as follows:
* elimination of ground staking in subdivided townships in southern Ontario and introduction of map staking;
* new requirements for claim holders to restore surface conditions on private lands;
* changes in notification rules (confirmation of staking would be sent to the surface owner within a specified time, after filing with MNDM, and notice of intent to perform ground exploration work would be given to the surface owner well in advance of entry);
* creation of a new list of private land categories where the consent of an owner would be mandatory before conducting exploration, possibly including registered plans for subdivisions, residential lots, railway lands, farms, woodlots, and municipal lands; and
* claim holders would file a form stating that the surface owner’s consent to enter the property and conduct exploration work has been obtained, and a new form would be filed when significant changes are made to the original plan.
Any comments should be submitted by mail to: Roy Spooner, Legislative Amendments Project Lead, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Mineral Development and Lands Branch, 933 Ramsey Lake Road, Willet Green Miller Centre, Level B6
Sudbury, Ont., P3E 6B5. Fax: (705) 670-5863.
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