Provincial/Territorial Governments

Minerals and Metals Sector / Secteur des minéraux et des métaux

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Provincial/Territorial Governments

Provincial and territorial departments responsible for mining

In Canada, the on-shore mineral resources belong to the provinces. Through their mining acts, the provincial governments and the Yukon regulate most aspects of mineral exploration and mining. In the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the federal government owns the mineral resources. Here, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has the mandate to regulate exploration and mining.

Provincial governments typically regulate staking, assessment work requirements, mining leases, and recently, mine closure and site rehabilitation. They also regulate other aspects, such as land access, environment (a jurisdiction shared with the federal government), working conditions and their tax regime.

Provincial governments also undertake geological mapping and maintain geoscience databases that include exploration data, such as the results of geochemical and geophysical surveys, and diamond drill logs.

Last Updated: 2006-10-03

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