Should Ontario Reduce Environmental Permits for Mineral Exploration?
Official title: Streamlining environmental permissions for mineral exploration
Ontario wants to let mining companies skip some environmental permits when exploring for minerals. Right now, companies need multiple approvals for things like taking water and managing air emissions. The province says these overlap with Mining Act requirements and slow down critical mineral projects. Environmental protections would still apply through other rules.
Why This Matters
Live near a potential mining site? This could mean more exploration activity with fewer environmental checkpoints. The province says existing Mining Act rules are enough protection. Critics might worry about water quality and air emissions near exploration sites.
What Could Change
Mining companies could skip Environmental Compliance Approvals for sewage, air, and noise at early exploration sites. They could also skip Permits to Take Water if they meet certain criteria. Advanced exploration projects could avoid air and noise permits if they're far enough from homes and schools. The definition of 'construction site' would change to let more projects self-register for water taking.
Key Issues
- Should early exploration activities be exempt from Environmental Compliance Approvals for sewage, air, and noise?
- Should early exploration be exempt from Permits to Take Water under certain conditions?
- Should advanced exploration projects be exempt from air and noise permits if they're 1-2 km from sensitive receptors?
- What cost savings would these exemptions provide for mineral exploration operations?
How to Participate
- Review the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025 for context on the government's approach.
- Submit your comments through this consultation page on the Environmental Registry of Ontario by the deadline.
- You can also email your feedback to permissions.modernization@ontario.ca.
Submit Your Input
Questions Being Asked (1)
- If the ministry makes the proposed changes, what benefit and cost savings would the exemptions provide for mineral exploration and development, including operations?