Mining Lands Administration
The COVID-19 outbreak and related public health requirements are special circumstances that have created challenges for all claim holders in Ontario. Given the present uncertainty over when current health and safety measures will ease, we acknowledge that some claim holders may still be having difficulty planning or executing work programs.
The Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines understands that exclusions can help promote public safety, particularly in remote areas, by reducing the need for travel into those areas for exploration purposes. As a result, we will continue to offer claim holders a streamlined process for processing requests for COVID-19-related exclusion of time orders under Ontario’s Mining Act and for all claim holders with claim anniversary dates on or before October 31, 2021. We anticipate that this will be the final extension of the streamlined process for exclusion of time requests and suggest that claimholders plan their work programs accordingly.
Claim holders with claim anniversary dates on or before October 31, 2021, will be given an exclusion order if they make a brief request via email citing COVID-19 as the reason the exclusion order is requested. There is no cost for COVID-19 related exclusion requests. The exclusion orders will remove the requirement to perform and file assessment work for a period of time of up to 12 months.
We ask that claim holders only apply through this streamlined process if they are experiencing issues completing assessment work due to the effects of COVID-19 and the enhanced public health and workplace safety measures currently in effect for all of Ontario.
To obtain an exclusion order, claim holders or their authorized agents must email the Provincial Recording Office at pro.ndm@ontario.ca no earlier than the 30th day before the anniversary date of your claim and no later than the anniversary date. For more information, please see this bulletin.
Assistance for all matters related to the Mining Lands Administration System (MLAS) is available by calling us toll-free at 1-888-415-9845 (choose the Provincial Recording Office – Option 1). This toll-free line is staffed Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. At any time, clients may leave a voice message and we will return the call in accordance with Ontario’s Quality Service Standard
Table of Contents
Learn how to register a mining claim, manage mining claims online, and apply for a prospector’s licence.
Overview
Ontario’s mining lands are registered and managed online with the Mining Lands Administration System (MLAS). With MLAS you can:
- view active unpatented mining claims
- register a new mining claim
- manage your mining claims
- buy or renew your prospector’s licence
Anyone can use the MLAS Map Viewer to view active, unpatented mining claims in Ontario. However, 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 licence.
Access MLAS
Login to MLAS (registered users)
Login to MLAS if you have already registered
MLAS Map Viewer (non-registered users)
Use the MLAS Map Viewer to view active unpatented mining claims. Registration is not required.
Register for MLAS
There are three steps to follow to register for MLAS:
- 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.
Create your ONe-key ID
- 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.
Step-by-step guide to creating your MLAS user account
- 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 sign up or renew your prospector’s licence
Guides and resources
Minister’s directives
Information about how to use MLAS:
- Getting started with MLAS
- Obtaining a prospector’s licence
- Registering a mining claim
- Claim management
- Assessment work reporting
- Early exploration activities
How-to videos and guides
Step-by-step videos to help you use MLAS:
- Register as an existing legacy client
- Register as a new client
- Apply for a prospector’s licence in MLAS
- View or print a prospector’s licence
- 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
Step-by-step guides to help you use MLAS:
Fact Sheets
- JUNE 2021 - MLAS Release 2.5.18 [PDF]
- MARCH 2021 - MLAS Release 2.5.17 [PDF]
- FEBRUARY 2021 - Updated Mining Land Tenure Data Now Available [PDF]
- NOVEMBER 2020 - MLAS Release 2.5.16 [PDF]
- AUGUST 2020 - MLAS Release 2.5.15 [PDF]
- MAY 2020 - MLAS Release 2.5.14 [PDF]
- MAY 2020 - MLAS Release 2.5.13 [PDF]
- APRIL 2020 - MLAS System Upgrade - Map Viewer [PDF]
- APRIL 2020 - MLAS Release 2.5.12 [PDF]
- MARCH 2020 - Updated Mining Land Tenure Data Coming Soon! [PDF]
- FEBRUARY 2020 - MLAS Release 2.5.11 Upgrade Alert [PDF]
- SEPTEMBER 2019 - When to Include a Pending Distribution [PDF]
- JUNE 2019 - MLAS System Upgrade - Map Viewer [PDF]
- JUNE 2019 - MLAS Release 2.5.10 [PDF]
- MAY 2019 - Handling Time in MLAS [PDF]
- APRIL 2019 - Conversion Bank Transfer [PDF]
- APRIL 2019 - Grassroots Prospecting Incentive [PDF]
- MARCH 2019 - Offline Payment in Place [PDF]
- DECEMBER 2018 -Supporting Eligible Costs in Assessment Work Reports [PDF]
- DECEMBER 2018 - Pending Distributions [PDF]
Get email updates
- Subscribe to our update bulletins to receive email updates about mining lands and MLAS.
- See all MLAS update bulletins
Contact us
If you need help with MLAS:
- call us Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST at 1-888-415-9845 (choose option 1 for the Provincial Recording Office).
- email us at pro.ndm@ontario.ca