MLAS: Mining Lands Administrative System
How to register and manage mining claims online and apply for a prospector license.
Overview
The Mining Lands Administration System (MLAS) is an online system for:
- administering public lands for mining purposes
- registering mining claims online
With MLAS you can:
- view active unpatented mining claims
- register a new mining claim
- manage your mining claims
- buy or renew your prospector’s license
If you want to register a new mining claim or manage a mining claim, you must register for an MLAS user account and hold a valid prospector’s license.
Non-registered users can use the MLAS Map Viewer to view active unpatented mining claims.
Claim registration notice
Lands that would have come open for registration at 10:00 a.m. EST on February 24, 2023, will be withdrawn and re-opened at a later date to ensure fairness.
Tentative dates
| Withdrawal order number | Number of cells | 14-day reopening order number | Reopening date |
|---|---|---|---|
| W-P-35/23 | 1 | O-P-55/23 | May 5, 2023 |
| W-TB-32/23 | 42 | O-TB-56/23 | May 9, 2023 |
| W-S-34/23 | 2 | O-S-54/23 | May 10, 2023 |
| W-SSM-33/23 | 86 | O-SSM-53/23 | May 11, 2023 |
Tentative reopening dates for claims that would have come open for registration at 10:00 a.m. EST on February 24, 2023.
If you have questions, please email the Provincial Recording Office at pro.ndm@ontario.ca or call us at
How to register for MLAS
There are three steps to follow to register for MLAS.
Step 1: create an Ontario ONe-key ID
ONe-key is a secure account that gives you online access to Ontario government programs and services. Once you have a ONe-key ID, you can create your MLAS user account.
Step 2: create an MLAS user account
Log into ONe-key and choose Mining Lands Administration System (MLAS) from the list of services to begin setting up your MLAS user account.
Follow Directive 1: Getting started on the Mining Lands Administration System for a step-by-step guide to create your MLAS user account.
Step 3: have a valid prospector’s licence
If you do not already have a prospector’s licence you can apply for one in MLAS once you have your MLAS user account.
How to use MLAS
Mining Act directives
Read the Mining Act directives for a step-by step guide on how to use MLAS.
Video tutorials
How to register
Licences
Mining claims
- register a mining claim
- initiate the transfer of a mining claim
- complete the transfer of a mining claim
- confirm Surface Rights Owner (SRO) notification of claim registration
- distribute approved credits
- manage agents
- submit a notice of claim abandonment
Land notices, withdrawals and reopenings
The Minister may, by order:
- withdraw an area from prospecting, staking (mining claim registration as of April 10 annually), sale and lease, known as a withdrawal order
- lift an existing withdrawal to reopen the area for prospecting, staking, sale and lease, known as a reopening order
For a list of withdrawals and reopenings, visit Land notices, withdrawal and reopenings.
June 1 open list
Each year we publish a list of lands or mining rights open for registration as of June 1. This list is published in one issue of the Ontario Gazette.
We also publish a second list of lands that are in arrears of mining land taxes. If the total amount of taxes, penalties and costs are not paid by December 31 of the current year, the lands may be forfeited to the Crown.
Some of the lands on the June 1 open list may have mine hazards within their boundaries. You should conduct your mineral exploration activities as per the Mining Act and other health and safety regulations.
Some of the June 1 open list lands may be subject to withdrawal under the Mining Act. We encouraged you to reference the MLAS map viewer or contact the Provincial Recording Office if you have any questions.
Mining lands data
You can analyze and combine mining lands data with other data by using geographic information system (GIS) software.
Data is available in ESRI® ArcView® shape file format. The data is split into two files:
- operational data for claims and alienations, mining land tenures and non-mining land tenures
- administrative data for cell grid, lots and concessions, administrative boundaries, mining divisions, exploration regions, legacy claims and the provincial boundary
You can download the data from OGSEarth mining claims.
Mining claim maps
Paper maps
You can buy mining claim maps in paper format. Maps are available at two standard scales: 1:20000 and 1:40000.
The cost varies depending on the size and colour quality you would like.
To order paper maps, contact the Publication Services Sales Coordinator, Joshua Linley:
Email: Joshua.linley@ontario.ca
Historical maps
Before claim maps were available online, mining claims had to be drawn by hand on a map made of paper, linen or Mylar. These mining claim maps are now known as historical mining claim maps.
We have digitized all historical mining claim maps. They are available as PDFs from the Historical mining claim map website.
News and updates
Check this page for updates on mining lands and MLAS.
MLAS Fact Sheets and Update Bulletins archive.
Fact sheets
- February 2023 – MLAS Release 2.5.23 (PDF)
- February 2023 – MLAS Release 2.5.22 (PDF)
- February 2022 - Licence of Occupation Registry (PDF)
- February 2022 - MLAS Release 2.5.20 (PDF)
MLAS bulletins
There are no updates at this time.
Get email updates
Get email updates about mining lands and MLAS. Email miningact@ontario.ca, with the subject line “MLAS update bulletin,” to be added to our email distribution list.