The federal government is reviewing rules on what metal mines
can discharge to watercourses in Canada. It is also considering
bringing mines other than metal mines within the ambit of these
regulations. The effect could be to increase regulatory certainty
but also raise the cost of effluent treatment.
The 2002 Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER) adopted under
the federal Fisheries Act are being updated to reflect emerging
concerns, notably in the U.S., about the environmental effects of
substances such as aluminum, iron, selenium and ammonia that are
sometimes present in mining effluent but for which no limits are
currently prescribed in the MMER. As part of the review
process, the federal government is considering extending the scope
of the MMER to include other operations such as diamond, coal and
potash mines. Consultations are underway with a number of
stakeholders, including the Mining Association of Canada. In
parallel developments, it remains to be seen
