ontario regulation 245/26

made under the

Environmental Protection Act

Made: July 16, 2026
Filed: July 27, 2026
Published on e-Laws: July 27, 2026
Published in The Ontario Gazette: August 15, 2026

Amending O. Reg. 524/98

(ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE APPROVALS - EXEMPTIONS FROM SECTION 9 OF THE ACT)

1. (1) Subsection 1 (1) of Ontario Regulation 524/98 is amended by adding the following paragraph:

3.  Any plant, structure, equipment, apparatus, mechanism or thing that is used for carrying out any activity that constitutes early exploration if either of the following circumstances are met:

i.  The person carrying out the activity has submitted an exploration plan under section 78.2 of the Mining Act, the plan is in effect and the activity is carried out in accordance with Ontario Regulation 308/12 (Exploration Plans and Exploration Permits) made under that Act.

ii.  The person carrying out the activity has been issued an exploration permit under section 78.3 of the Mining Act, the permit is in effect and the activity is carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions of the permit and Ontario Regulation 308/12.

(2) Section 1 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following subsection:

(3) In paragraph 3 of subsection (1),

“early exploration” means activities that fall within section 1 of Schedule 2 or section 1 of Schedule 3 to Ontario Regulation 308/12 (Exploration Plans and Exploration Permits) made under the Mining Act.

2. Section 2 of the Regulation is amended by striking out “paragraph 4” and substituting “subparagraph 25 viii”.

Commencement

3. This Regulation comes into force on the later of September 1, 2026 and the day this Regulation is filed.