In our article of March 31, 2020 we expressed hope that the
Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines (the
"Ministry") would provide relief to holders of mining
claims from the requirement to perform assessment work amid the
COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 17, 2020 the Ministry acknowledged in a Mining Lands
Administration System Update (the "Update") that the
pandemic is a special circumstance creating challenges for all
claim holders in Ontario. The Update provides that holders with
claim anniversary dates on or before December 31, 2020 will be
given an exclusion order by simply making a brief email request to
the Provincial Mining Recorder Office at [email protected] on a no
cost basis. The exclusion order will remove the requirement to
carry out assessment work for a period of time of up to 12
months.
