Mine Operations / Production
The following list outlines common compliance, monitoring, reporting and other requirements for an operational mine.
Notices
For a change in mine ownership/corporate name, a Notice of Material Change (MNDMF) is required.
For a change in the status for a project, a Notice of Project Status (MNDMF) is required.
(Other notice forms will be added to this list in the future.)
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment Wastewater System or MEWS, is a web-based industrial wastewater discharge monitoring and reporting application. It is designed to monitor effluent discharges of the nine industrial sectors regulated under the Clean Water Regulations. Industrial dischargers are required to sample, analyze and report data on their effluents, and to ensure that the quality and quantity of discharges comply with regulation limits.
MEWS is designed to replace the MISA Industrial Data Entry System (MIDES). The business concepts of the two systems are the same. However, many of the "maintenance" aspects of the MIDES application have been simplified in MEWS, which will enable regulated companies to focus on the reporting of their industrial wastewater discharges. See myLaws - Effluent Monitoring.
MEWS is presently under development and it is anticipated the program will be available by the end of 2005.
The Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER) under the federal Fisheries Act requires data submission through the Regulatory Information Submission System (RISS). See federal permits for when this applies. This is the federal electronic system created to provide the portal for regulatory data submission by the mines. It is a requirement under MMER that mine owners and operators report monitoring results in writing and in electronic format.
Spills Reporting
Part X of the Ontario Environmental Protection Act requires immediate notification to the Ministry of Environment (MOE) in the event of a spill of a pollutant into the natural environment. Any abnormal discharge of a contaminant into the natural environment is considered a spill and requires immediate notification. See the Spills Action Centre. See myLaws - Spills.
The owner or controller of the pollutant also has the duty to act to restore the natural environment and prevent any adverse effects.
The MOE Spills Action Centre is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-268-6060 for spill notification. See the link above for more information.
The federal Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER), when applicable (see federal permits), require immediate reporting of spills.
Inspections by the Ontario Ministry of Environment
What to Expect When an Environmental Officer Inspects Your Facility (Ontario Ministry of Environment 2004) provides a general description of what to expect from, and how to prepare for, an inspection by an environmental officer from MOE. (PDF, 616kB)
Occupational Health and Safety Act
For other notices, standards and reporting requirements, see the section on health and safety.
Statistical Reports Under the Mining Act
Under Part IX of the Mining Act every owner of a mine must submit a report on or before March 31st tabulating data for the preceding calendar year. This information is collected in cooperation with Natural Resources Canada as part of an annual census of mines.
For more information see Section 155 of the Mining Act and visit Natural Resources Canada’s mineral statistics website.
Mine Rehabilitation
Progressive Rehabilitation
A proponent shall take all reasonable steps to progressively rehabilitate a site whether closure has commenced or a closure plan has been filed. A report must be filed to the Director of Mine Rehabilitation (MNDMF) within 60 days of completing the work. See myLaws - Progressive Rehabilitation.
While not a permit process, the federal MMER also requires a mine to notify Environment Canada in the event that the mine ends commercial operation. In addition, under the MMER, an owner/operator can also seek recognized closed mine status as part of a closure strategy.
Closure Plans
Closure must be implemented according to the Closure Plan or according to the Mine Rehabilitation Code if no Closure Plan is in place for the site.
Material Changes
A proponent subject to a Closure Plan must file a Notice of Material Change form (PDF, 787kB) if the project alterations or additions have a material affect on the adequacy of the Plan. See myLaws - Notice of Material Change.
Notice of Closure – Notice of Project Status
Mine or Advanced Exploration projects operating under a Closure Plan must file a Notice of Project Status form PDF 800KB) when commencing any one of the three stages of mine closure (temporary suspension, state of inactivity, or closing-out) or when making any change in the stage of closure reached.
Return of Financial Assurance
Financial Assurance will be returned on evidence that rehabilitation work guaranteed by financial assurance has been performed in accordance with the Closure Plan to the ministry’s satisfaction. Please contact the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry's Financial Assurance Office for details.
The Mining Sequence
Businesses