Prospecting and Claim Staking

In order to prospect on Crown lands in Ontario or stake out, record or apply to record the staking of a mining claim, a person must be a holder of a prospector's licence issued under the Ontario Mining Act. The Mining Act falls under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM).

How to Obtain a Prospector's Licence

An application (Application form for a Prospector's Licence) is made to the nearest Mining Lands office or other offices offering Mining Lands services of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

Client Numbers

Companies and individuals are assigned a unique client number. Client numbers are assigned with or without holding a prospector’s licence and are needed in order to process and administer mining claims. Application for an Individual Client Number

Claim Staking

A prospector’s licence is required to stake claims.
 

• CLAIMaps - a website that provides information on mining claims within the province and identifies lands that are protected from prospecting and staking

• Download a copy of A Guide to Staking Mining Claims (PDF, 2.57 MB)
• A Summary of the Claim Staking Regulations (PDF, 131 KB)
• Claim Staking Forms

Mining Claims

For a wide variety of topics and issues relating to staked mining claims See: Policies for unpatented mining claims

Placer Claims

• Policy regarding the staking of placer claims
• Procedures for the staking of placer claims

Staking and Working in Designated Areas

Special provisions for staking in areas designated by the minister as being environmentally sensitive may be found in A Guide to Staking Mining Claims (PDF, 2.57 MB).

Assessment Work

In order to hold a claim in good standing or to apply for a lease, exploration work (referred to as assessment work) must be performed and reported to the Crown for approval, within specified time limits. See MNDM’s Geoscience Assessment Office.

• A Summary of the Assessment Work Requirements (PDF, 676kB)
• Assessment Work Forms

Working on Crown Lands

When working on Crown lands, a work permit is required by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) for the construction of a road. Approval under either the Public Lands Act or the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act is required for all water crossings.  See myLaws - Work Permit

Mineral Exploration in Designated Areas

Special terms and conditions may apply to mineral exploration activities in areas designated by the Minister as environmentally sensitive.  In these areas, proponents are required to apply for work permits issued under the Public Lands Act to conduct disruptive mineral exploration activities. The Resident Geologist Office in Kirkland Lake is authorized under the Public Lands Act, to issue these work permits.  Please contact the Resident Geologist Office in Kirkland Lake, or the Regional Land Use Geologist for clarification.  See myLaws - Work Permit - Disruptive Mineral Exploration Activities.

Species at Risk

Mineral exploration and mining activities taking place in and around species at risk and/or their habitats may require an authorization under the Endangered Species Act.  For information on species at risk in your area, required authorizations, and contact information for your local MNR office, please visit the Ministry of Natural Resources, Species at Risk website. 

Access & Roads

Public forest access roads:

Public forest access roads can be opened or closed at the discretion of the MNR - district manager by authority of the Public Lands Act S.52. The district manager may also grant a permit for travel under terms and conditions he or she may consider advisable. Access roads may be closed by barricade or posting of signage. Proponents should contact the local MNR office for current road conditions and closures.

Private forest access roads:

Private forest access roads may not be accessible to the public unless under term and conditions of an agreement with the land holder.

Portages:

Where public lands over which a portage has existed or exists have been sold or otherwise disposed of, any person travelling on waters connected by the portage has the right to pass over and along the portage with the person's effects without permission or payment to the owner of the lands.

Surface Rights Holders:

Under the Mining Act, prospecting and staking in Ontario can occur on privately owned lands. A prospector must respect the rights of the property owner. Staking cannot disrupt other land use such as crops, gardens or recreation areas, and the prospector is liable for any damage made while orking on the property. Information on the requirements for prospecting and exploration on privately owned lands is available here.

Camps

The erection of a tent camp on mining claims does not require a work permit; however, some temporary camps on Crown lands may require the issuance of a temporary Land Use Permit from MNR under the Public Lands Act. Construction of buildings will require a work permit from MNR. See myLaws - Land Use Permit, Work Permit - PLA.

Timber and Cutting Permits

If a surface stripping program is carried out in a forested area, a Forest Resource Licence to cut timber may be required. Contact your Ministry of Natural Resources district office for information on the permit requirements. See myLaws - District Cutting Licence.

Blasting Explosives Purchase and Possession Permit

A permit is required for the purchase of blasting explosives when it is for personal use and not for sale or transfer, when the quantity does not exceed the licencing threshold of 75 kilograms and/or 100 detonators, and storing does not exceed 90 days. This permit can be obtained from the licenced explosives vendor nearest you. See myLaws - Explosive Permit.

Worker Safety:

Procedures for storage and use of explosives are outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act - Regulation for Mines and Mining Plants. See the section on health and safety for more information.

The Ontario Ministry of Labour has a fact sheet titled "How to Obtain Blasting Explosives".

Environmental Guidelines for Exploration

While carrying out prospecting, the guidelines set out in the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's Environmental Excellence in Exploration (E3) should be followed.

Bush Safety

The Mines and Aggregate Safety and Health Association has the following publications available for purchase:

• Exploration Safety: A Guide to a Safe & Healthy Workplace
• Safe Operating Practices for Off-Road Vehicles and Boats: A Handbook for the Mineral Exploration Supervisor
• Guide for Abandoned and Inactive Underground Workings

Mine Hazards

Caution must be exercised when working around inactive or abandoned mine sites.

Surface facilities and underground mine workings may be hazardous and must be approached with caution.

Underground mine workings and confined spaces must never be entered without following the appropriate safety procedures and following all applicable legislation.

For safety precautions for working near potential mine hazards please contact the Ministry of Labour.

For information on abandoned mines and mine hazards see the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines’s website.

Aboriginal Communities

When carrying out prospecting or other exploration activities, particularly in more remote regions or near Aboriginal communities, the proponent should consider contacting the Aboriginal community. Additional information regarding Aboriginals and the mineral industry may be found here.

Other Stakeholders

The prospector should be aware of stakeholders/land users in the area being worked.

Mineral Collecting

For information on mineral collecting please see the mineral collecting section under regulatory topics.

Gold Panning

Recreational panning is considered mineral collecting. It can be done anywhere mineral collecting is allowed. See mineral collecting.