Construction and Operation

Mines Act permits for construction and operation activities regulate all components of a mine including production volumes, infrastructure, health and safety, mine plans and areas, reporting requirements, and reclamation requirements.

Along with the Mines Act and the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in B.C., Mines Act permits regulate the works and activities that occur on a specific mine site. The permit stays with a mine site from initial development work to the time when all reclamation work is satisfactorily fulfilled.  An application must be made to the Chief Permitting Officer to create a new permit or to change an existing permit. 

Mineral and coal construction and operation projects are managed though one of the following four permitting paths, defined by project impacts and complexity:

• Notices of deemed authorization
• Departures from approval
• Non-coordinated permit amendments
• Coordinated permit amendments

Permits for construction and operation activities are managed by the Major Mines Office within the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.