On May 18, 2023, the Province of Ontario granted Royal Assent to various amendments to the Mining Act through Bill 71, the Building More Mines Act, 2023 (“Bill 71”). The government’s stated purpose of these amendments is to create conditions that allow mines to be built and operated more efficiently in Ontario.
Bill 71 was introduced on March 2, 2023, and was open for comment until April 16, 2023. Although some technical amendments were made during its passage, Bill 71 largely passed as initially proposed.
We expect the amendments will accomplish the government’s goal by expediting approvals of closure plans, increasing certainty for companies engaging in mineral recovery operations, and providing the Minister of Northern Development and Mines (the “Minister”) with greater authority in the approval and decision-making process for mine development and operation.
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