Ottawa revises Canadian mining policy

In an effort to make Canada a more attractive place in which to explore and mine, the federal government has rewritten its minerals and mining policy.

“Essentially, the old policy was international in focus,” says Pierre Gratton, a spokesman for the Natural Resources Canada. “The [revised] policy focuses more on the Canadian climate for the industry.”

Canada has a renewed mineral potential, he notes, citing the discovery of diamonds at Lac de Gras in the Northwest Territories and nickel at Voisey’s Bay in Labrador. “We wanted to make sure we had a good investment climate here.”

Although mining and related activities will remain the jurisdiction of the provinces, the federal government intends to clarify its commitment to the industry, and, toward that end, has outlined the following policy initiatives: * give more consideration to the social and environmental impact of proposed mines, rather than focus solely on their economic impact;

* encourage investment by streamlining securities and environmental regulations, and seek new markets;

* require the owners of non-producing mines that are deemed hazardous to pay for clean-up costs, and seek to balance environmental protection with the industry’s need for land access;

* support the resolution of native land claims, as well encouraging the development of businesses spun off from mines, and invite natives and mining companies to collaborate at each level of development; and

* promote mining-related research and development.