Minerals and Metals Sector - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Minerals and Metals Sector / Secteur des minéraux et des métaux

Information for:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Use the following links to explore our information resources:

Diamonds in Canada
Kimberley Process for Rough Diamonds
Explosives, Fireworks and Pyrotechnics
Firearms and Ammunition
Hunting Licences
Mineral Commodity Statistics
Mineral Map
Mineral Producers in Canada
Mineral Rights
Mining Companies
Mining Laws in Canada
Mining Taxation and Tax Credits
Posters
Prospecting and Claim Staking
Publications and Educational Resources
Stock Certificates, Mining

Where do I go to find information about the mining of diamonds in Canada?

Mining for gem-quality diamonds has become a billion-dollar industry in Canada. Our nation is now the third largest diamond producer in the world. To learn more about the Canadian diamond industry and how these gemstones are formed, visit www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/diam/index_e.htm.

Where can I find information on explosive licences or on fireworks and pyrotechnics special effects courses?

The Explosives Regulatory Division (ERD) of Natural Resources Canada is responsible for the administration of Canada's Explosives Act - an act to ensure the safety of Canadians in all matters related to explosives and pyrotechnics. ERD offers a series of courses on bomb threat management and on the safe handling of fireworks and pyrotechnics.

For more information on licences and a schedule of the courses being offered, visit the ERD web site at:
www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/explosif/edu/edu_e.htm

Or contact Clayton Brockett at:
Telephone: (613) 948-5203

I will be visiting the United States soon. Can I bring fireworks back into Canada when I return?

An Explosives Importation Permit is required to import explosives, fireworks, ammunition, propellants and pyrotechnics for use or sale in Canada.

For more information on the importation of authorized fireworks visit the Explosives Regulatory Division’s web site at: www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/explosif/licen/permit_e.html

Or contact Ysabel Brazal at:
Telephone: (613) 948-5201

I am an American planning a hunting trip to Canada. Where can I obtain information on the importation of firearms and ammunition into your country?

For information about bringing firearms into Canada, visit the Canadian Firearms Centre at www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca or call, toll-free, 1-800-731-4000.

For information on the importation of ammunition, contact the Explosives Regulatory Division of Natural Resources Canada at www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/explosif/over/conus_e.htm or call (613) 948-5200.

Is Natural Resources Canada responsible for issuing hunting licences in Canada?

No. The ten provinces and three territories regulate hunting within their boundaries. Contact the natural resources ministry in your province or the applicable territorial department responsible for wildlife to obtain more information on hunting licences. Links to provincial/territorial government web sites are available at:
www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/lien/ptg_e.htm

Do you have information and statistics on mineral production in Canada by commodity?

Detailed statistics on mining and minerals/metals are available at:
http://mmsd1.mms.nrcan.gc.ca/mmsd/intro_e.asp

The Minerals and Metals Sector also publishes the Canadian Minerals Yearbook. It reports on the activities of the Canadian minerals and metals industry over the past year, identifies the predominant developments, and indicates major trends in the industry and in global markets. The commodity chapters feature economic and policy developments, markets, prices, trade, and production and use data specific to each commodity. A detailed statistical report on the industry is also provided.

This is a priced publication that can be purchased for about $65 in Canada by contacting:

Geological Survey of Canada Bookstore
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E4

Telephone: (613) 995-4342
Toll-free: 1-800-252-4301
Facsimile: (613) 943-0646
E-mail: gscbookstore@nrcan.gc.ca

Prepayment of publication orders is required.

The most recent commodity reviews are also available on the Internet at:
www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/cmy/com_e.htm

Historical information on Canada's mineral industry can be found at: www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/cmy/info-hist_e.htm

Is there a map available that shows the locations of all the mines and oil and gas fields in Canada?

Natural Resources Canada produces a map entitled Principal Mineral Areas of Canada (Map 900A). This map (at a scale of 1:6 000 000) is issued annually in December and measures approximately 86 cm by 140 cm. It pinpoints some 220 significant metallic, nonmetallic and industrial mineral mines and approximately 250 oil and gas fields. The map also depicts existing and proposed oil and gas pipelines. A mine index provides the name of the owner company, name of the mine, mine location, and principal minerals and metals for each mine, and a similar index (without company names due to a shortage of space) is provided for each oil and gas field. Seven inset mineral maps of the country show the locations of nonferrous smelters and refineries, pig iron and ferro-alloy plants, and producing mines by major commodity groups including uranium and precious metals, base metals, ferrous metals and industrial minerals, as well as mine openings planned by companies. In addition, a tectonic map shows the geological provinces of Canada. Two charts and one table provide mineral production statistics by commodity group, by year, as well as by province and territory, for fuels and for metallic, nonmetallic and industrial minerals. To obtain a copy send an e-mail to info-mms@nrcan.gc.ca.

Similar information is available on-line at: http://mmsd1.mms.nrcan.gc.ca/maps/intro_e.asp

Do you produce a listing of all the mining operations in Canada?

The Minerals and Metals Sector maintains a list by commodity of mineral and metal producers and suppliers in Canada. The information provided includes the address, telephone number and contact name for the company.

Visit this site at: http://mmsd1.mms.nrcan.gc.ca/mmsd/producers/default_e.asp

A map called Principal Mineral Areas of Canada depicting all the operating mines in Canada is also available. To obtain a copy send an e-mail to info-mms@nrcan.gc.ca.

For more detailed information on mining companies and their financial holdings, the Canadian Mines Handbook (ISBN 0-919336-48-5), sold by Southam Mining Publications Group, is a good reference for this type of information. Call them toll-free at 1-800-668-2374.

Who owns mineral rights in Canada?

The mineral rights on more than 90% of Canada's lands are currently owned by governments. The administration of mineral rights in Canada, except for Nunavut, falls under provincial or territorial jurisdiction. It is possible for surface and mineral rights on the same property to be held by different owners. For a more detailed explanation and to find links to the various regulations that apply, go to www.nrcan.gc.ca/miningtax/inv_6.htm.

Where can I find a list of the major mining companies in Canada?

You can find links to most of the companies operating in Canada and the industry associations at www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/lien/mac_e.htm. If you are looking for a list of the mines operating in your province or territory, or for a list of all mines by commodity, go to http://mmsd1.mms.nrcan.gc.ca/mmsd/producers/default_e.asp.

What are the laws that regulate mining in Canada?

Under the Constitution, the power to regulate mineral exploration, development, conservation, and management is generally one of exclusive provincial jurisdiction. Each of the provinces has adopted a statute or ordinance that governs the exploration for, and the acquisition and exploitation of, state-owned minerals within their respective jurisdictions. There is also general provincial legislation for environmental, workplace safety, and labour purposes that has an impact on mining activities.

The federal government enjoys the same powers in respect of minerals on federal public lands. Moreover, the federal legislative powers over minerals are exclusive in the three federal territories and in the offshore. The Constitution also provides the federal government with certain powers that apply concurrently with provincial legislation over specific aspects of mineral activities, such as interprovincial and international trade. The federal government also has the power to declare a local work, such as a mine, to be for the general advantage of Canada and thereby assume regulatory authority over such work. This declaratory power was used in 1946 to exert federal control over uranium and other related substances. The Atomic Energy Control Act declares that all works and undertakings for the production, refinement or treatment of such substances are subject to the regulatory authority of the federal Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Approval from the Commission is necessary for the development, operation or commissioning of any uranium mining facility, but prospecting and exploration for uranium are not specifically controlled.

To access all the provincial/terrtorial mining-related acts and regulations, go to www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/busi-entre/ptar_e.htm.

For more information on mining taxation and mining and environmental law, visit the following web site: www.nrcan.gc.ca/miningtax/inv_6.htm

Do you have any visual aids or posters depicting mines or mining processes?

A series of four posters (60 cm x 90 cm) depicting the mining industry is available. The posters by title are: Surface Mine, Underground Mine, The Concentrator, and Smelting and Refining. To view the posters and various mining scenes, go to www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/mining/index_e.html.

To obtain a copy send an e-mail to info-mms@nrcan.gc.ca.

Additional posters showing the use of minerals and metals at home, work or play are on-line at www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/scho-ecol/post/intro_e.htm.

I would like to start prospecting for minerals in Canada. Do I need a prospector's licence and how do I go about staking claims for the mineral rights?

Before exploring for minerals in Canada, you must verify requirements with the province or territory in which you plan to conduct your prospecting activities. In most jurisdictions a licence is required and claims must be recorded to register ownership. A detailed explanation of mineral tenure rules for exploration and development is available on our web site at www.nrcan.gc.ca/miningtax/inv_6.htm.

Links to all the provincial and territorial departments responsible for mining are provided at www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/lien/ptd_e.htm.

What publications and reports are available from your sector on minerals and metals?

The Minerals and Metals Sector publishes a wide range of publications that provide comprehensive statistics and information on the minerals and metals industry in Canada. Information on how to obtain copies or on how to access them on the Internet is provided at the following web site:
www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/prod-serv/pubs_e.htm

Are there any materials that would help me prepare a school project or class on minerals and mining?

The Minerals and Metals Sector has a web site at www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/scho-ecol/toc_e.htm that offers a whole series of educational resources on minerals, metals and mining.

Other useful sites offering information for teachers and students are listed at www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/stude-etudi/sat_e.htm.

Last Updated: 2006-09-28

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