Mineral Resources Act
The Mineral Resources Act has now passed the legislature! To get an idea of the key policies it intends to achieve, click here. For the legislation as-passed, click here.
The Mineral Resources Act has been introduced in the Legislative Assembly.
It was drafted with consideration for all feedback received through public and stakeholder engagement, research by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, and conversations with partners from Indigenous governments and Organizations.
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has produced an extensive collection of informational material to help understand what is being proposed, the basics of how that could look in practice, and the reasons why those policies were chosen.
The folder titled "Understanding the Proposed Mineral Resources Act" to the right has a series of eight PDFsContinue reading
The Mineral Resources Act has been introduced in the Legislative Assembly.
It was drafted with consideration for all feedback received through public and stakeholder engagement, research by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, and conversations with partners from Indigenous governments and Organizations.
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has produced an extensive collection of informational material to help understand what is being proposed, the basics of how that could look in practice, and the reasons why those policies were chosen.
The folder titled "Understanding the Proposed Mineral Resources Act" to the right has a series of eight PDFs covering the policy intentions of the legislation, and how it fits within the Northwest Territories' larger legal framework.
If you wish to view this information online instead, follow this link.
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Are there gaps in current environmental legislation which could be addressed with new mining legislation?
over 5 years agoShare on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link2 ResponsesCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.Environmental aspects of mining are largely regulated through the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, and other applicable federal and territorial statutes.
However, the development of a new Mineral Resources Act offers a chance to address gaps in these environmental protections to complement these laws.
What gaps do you see which could be addressed with new legislation?
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How do you feel mineral exploration and mining companies should engage with Indigenous governments, organizations and peoples?
over 5 years agoShare on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded. -
What information should be made public by mining companies and the government to improve openness and transparency in the mining and mineral exploration industry?
over 5 years agoShare on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded. -
Should incentives be provided to companies that go above-and-beyond in environmental protection or providing community benefits?
over 5 years agoShare on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded. -
Should incentives be offered to mining companies and prospectors to encourage exploration?
over 5 years agoShare on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.Prospecting and exploration are the activities which can ultimately lead to mining. Some jurisdictions in Canada offer incentives through tax rebates, subsidies, grants, or temporarily relaxed work requirements to qualifying mining companies and prospectors to encourage exploration.
The Northwest Territories currently offers two such programs:
Should incentives be offered to mining companies and prospectors to encourage exploration? -
How should we manage rights to access land for mining and exploration projects?
over 5 years agoShare on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded. -
How important are jobs in mining and exploration to a prosperous economy for the Northwest Territories?
over 5 years agoShare on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.Mining is currently the single-largest industry contributing to the NWT economy. In 2016, it contributed $637 million to the NWT economy and directly employed more than 1000 NWT residents.
How important are these jobs in the mining industry to a prosperous economy for the Northwest Territories?
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Should prospectors be able to stake claims online in the Northwest Territories?
over 5 years agoShare on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.What is staking?
Staking is the process where a person marks out an area of land where they want to explore for minerals.
How is it done currently?A person must put up four corner posts each with a separate mineral claim tag affixed to it with important data etched on the tag. Boundary posts must also be erected every 500 meters and witness posts may be used in lieu of legal corner posts due to dangerous terrain or water.
The claimant must submit the application to record along with a sketch outlining the property not later than 60 days from completion of the staking process.
What challenges does this present?
- Certain areas of the Northwest Territories are often not easily accessible. There is a high cost of getting to remote areas where minerals could be present.
A potential for conflicting claims if two people attempt to stake the same area in whole or in part at the same time.
What is online map staking?This is when prospectors and exploration companies are able to stake claims using detailed online maps rather than needing to physically stake claims.Is anyone else doing it?There are four provinces in Canada that have moved to an online system. There are two more moving toward the online system.
Should prospectors be able to stake claims using online maps in the Northwest Territories?
Document Library
Life Cycle
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Open
Mineral Resources Act has finished this stageThis engagement is open for contributions. The deadline for engagement submissions is December 1, 2017.
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Under Review
Mineral Resources Act has finished this stageContributions to this engagement are closed for evaluation and review. The Project team will report back on key outcomes.
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What We Heard Report
Mineral Resources Act has finished this stageThe final outcomes of the engagement are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.
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Bill Introduced in the Legislature
Mineral Resources Act is currently at this stageThe Mineral Resources Act has been introduced as a Bill in the Legislative Assembly.