Ontario Proposes Changes To Mining Act

On December 2, 2015, Ontario introduced the Mining Amendment Act, 2015 (Bill), which seeks to amend the Mining Act. If adopted, the changes will result in the implementation of an online registration system for mining claims as well as a new electronic mining lands administration system in Ontario.

The changes seek to enhance the global competitiveness of Ontario's mining industry and forms Part III of the ongoing Mining Act Modernization process, an important part of the Ontario government's Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.

In his introduction of the Bill, the Minister of Northern Development and Mines (Minister) stated that the "proposed amendments would significantly modernize how claims are registered and managed in Ontario" and that "the changes would enhance Ontario's global competitiveness in the mining sector, encouraging prospecting, claim registration and exploration, which are key to the development of new mines."