Placer mining

The Placer Mining Waste Control Regulation (PMWCR) under the Environmental Management Act (EMA) regulates wastewater discharges from placer mines.

A waste discharge authorization is a permission to discharge waste into the environment with certain conditions.

You need a waste discharge authorization when your placer mine discharges waste to the environment:

• If you currently operate a placer mine and do not meet the conditions of the PMWCR, you must submit a waste discharge authorization application by January 1, 2022

Learn more and start your application

You do not need a waste discharge authorization when you meet all of the following conditions:

• Hand panning for gold
• Exploring for minerals using equipment movable by hand and:
  • You do not use mercury or other chemicals
  • The washwater delivery system intake does not exceed 38 mm
  • The tailings are discharged to a tailings pond with a minimum of 0.5 m freeboard
  • The water in the tailings pond is reused or allowed to seep into the ground
  • No suspended sediment is allowed to enter downstream
• Producing minerals where
  • You do not use mercury or other chemicals
  • The tailings are discharged to a tailings pond with a minimum of 0.5 m freeboard
  • The water in the tailings pond is reused or allowed to seep into the ground
  • No suspended sediment is allowed to enter downstream

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The Mines Act and the accompanying Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia states the rules to minimize risks to health, safety and the environment.

A Mines Act permit is a permission to operate a mine within certain operating conditions.  

You need a Mines Act permit before:

• Conducting any mechanized activities including exploration and construction

You do not need a Mines Act permit if:

• Processing material within the watercourse and riparian set-back using hand-panning with a shovel and pan only 
• Other exploration activities are consistent as described in the Information Update No. 38 (PDF, 464KB)

To apply for a Mines Act permit

All applications for permits for placer mines are submitted as a Notice of Work (NOW):

• Placer Mine Application Requirements (PDF, 165KB)

Learn more and start the NOW application

Need help with a Mines Act permit?

For further guidance and placer mining materials, refer to Front Counter BC Placer Mining.

Assistance with the application is available from FrontCounter BC staff.

The Water Sustainability Regulation (WSR) under the Water Sustainability Act states the rules to divert and use water. The WSR also states the rules to make changes in a stream or around a stream.

Water licences and use approvals are permissions to use or divert water with certain conditions.

You need a water licence if you have:

• More than 2000 m³ of paydirt per year 
• More than 20 people in your camp

Learn more and start your water licence application.

You do not need a water licence if you have a Mines Act permit and meet all of these conditions:

• 2000m³ paydirt per year or less 
• 20 or less people in your camp
• Hand-held tools are used

You may also need a:

• Water use approval for short term use up to 24 months
• Change approval for changes in and about a stream

For more information:

• Water licences and use approvals 
• Information Update for Water Use in Mineral Exploration and Placer Mining March 2020 (PDF, 224KB)