Mining proponent guide to the Notice of Work application process
Last updated on February 28, 2025The information below supports proponents in navigating and understanding the process once your Notice of Work (NoW) application is submitted.
Instructions for proponents
You've submitted your Notice of Work application, what's next? The information below guides mining proponents with next steps after submitting their application.
On this page
- Review guidance documents
- Navigating additional permits or approvals
- Financial reclamation security
- Indigenous early engagement
Review guidance documents
Many guidance documents, authorizations or permits are required for archaeology, fuel storage, tree clearing, or water discharge. Review guidance documents broken down by mining activity.
Navigating additional permits or approvals
In addition to authorization under the Mines Act, additional permits or approvals may be required under other legislation.
It is your responsibility to communicate with overlapping and potentially affected tenure holders.
- Check for additional permits or approvals required
- Communicate with other overlapping tenure holders
Financial reclamation security
Notice of Work applicants may be required to provide a reclamation security bond as a condition of any Mines Act permit or authorization.
Reclamation security covers the cost of reclaiming a site if a mining company defaults on their obligation.
Indigenous early engagement
As a best practice engage with Indigenous groups prior to initiating any formal regulatory or permitting process with government.
Understanding the relationship between the Province and Indigenous nations and the role proponents play during the authorizations process is key.
There are tools available to help identify overlaps. These tools can be used by themselves or together.
Explore by Location: Provides detailed reports, including names and contact information for Indigenous groups that may have an interest in a specific area. Note: Explore by location is currently unavailable.
Profiles of Indigenous Peoples: Provides names and contact information for Indigenous groups that may have an interest in a specific area
Title Overlap Report (TOR): Provides names and contact information for Indigenous groups that may have an interest in a specific area. Request a report by logging onto Mineral Titles Online (MTO)
Start the communication before project plans are finalized and a NoW application is prepared. Continue as project plans are updated throughout the exploration stage.
An important part of building respectful relationships with Indigenous nations is seeking to understand the unique and rich history and traditions that are foundational to their connection to the land.
For proponents who may be new to engaging with Indigenous groups, consider cultural awareness training.
- Provide summary information about the project – including location, timing, equipment and materials to be used, practices to be employed, personnel, access considerations, necessary permits and authorizations
- Provide a reasonable opportunity for Indigenous groups to review and comment on proposed activities
- Consider the feedback provided by Indigenous groups and modifying project plans, if appropriate and feasible, to address relevant issues and concerns raised
Maintaining an effective record of engagement is one of the most important parts of the Indigenous engagement process.
Track the following:
- Dates and parties involved
- What information has been provided to Indigenous groups
- What concerns and issues Indigenous group(s) have raised
- How the proponent has responded to or addressed relevant concerns
- Whether the issues are believed to be resolved
Use the Engagement tracking template (XLSX, 212KB) to track this information.
Proponents and Indigenous nations are not required to provide information to the province that is agreed to be treated as confidential through mutual arrangement, such as direct revenue sharing information.