Resource Library

The province’s principal advocacy voice for mining companies since 1920, engaging directly with the Ministry of Energy and Mines on Ontario-specific policy and regulation.

A mandatory sustainability performance and reporting standard for MAC members’ Canadian operations, including facilities in Sudbury, Timmins, and Red Lake.

National association representing major mining, smelting, and refining companies, including Ontario operators, on federal policy, trade, and sustainability standards.

Free, practical guidance and toolkits on environmental stewardship, community engagement, and health and safety for exploration programs, widely used by Ontario field crews.

The leading national voice for the mineral exploration industry; its annual Toronto convention is the sector’s largest gathering and a key policy platform for Ontario issues.

Federal lead on Indigenous consultation obligations and, in the territories, land use permits and mineral tenure administration.

Regulates activities that could harm fish habitat, including self-assessment tools for projects near water.

Conducts federal impact assessments for major mining projects that meet designated thresholds under the Impact Assessment Act.

Administers the Explosives Act and Regulations, including the licences and certificates required to buy, store, transport, or use explosives at exploration sites.

Federal hub for critical minerals policy, geoscience programs, and mining sector data and statistics.

Provincial lead on Indigenous relations policy that intersects with resource development and consultation obligations.

Issues Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECAs) for activities like sewage works or air emissions that may arise from exploration or development.

Administers Crown land use permits, work permits for disruptive exploration activities, and aggregate (pit and quarry) licensing under the Public Lands Act and Aggregate Resources Act.

The full legislative text governing claim staking, tenure, assessment work, and exploration permitting in Ontario.

Open dataset with all publicly available information on Ontario’s mining claims and tenures.

Free access to Ontario’s assessment file, drill hole, and mineral inventory databases, plus geoscience maps and publications.

Public notice-and-comment portal where exploration permits, regulatory proposals, and other Mining Act decisions are posted for review.

Outlines the province’s framework and proponent responsibilities for consulting Indigenous communities on mineral exploration activities.

Published by the Ministry of Energy and Mines

Sets the mandatory minimum environmental and operational requirements for exploration plan and permit activities, including site rehabilitation.

Explains when an exploration plan versus an exploration permit is required for early exploration activities, and how to submit each through MLAS.

Step-by-step directives covering claim registration, claim management, assessment work reporting, and prospector licensing under the Mining Act.

Available through MLAS

Interactive map for viewing active unpatented mining claims and available Crown land before staking.

Ontario’s online system for registering mining claims, applying for a prospector’s licence, and managing claims 24/7.