Natural Resources Canada : Regulatory Responsibilities

Mineral Advisory Group Meeting (MDAG)

Newmont Mining Corporation

Doris North Project / Phase II

Cambridge Bay, NU

October 26-28

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) seeks to enhance the responsible development and use of Canada’s natural resources and the competitiveness of Canada’s natural resources products.

We are an established leader in science and technology in the fields of energy, forests, and minerals and metals and use our expertise in earth sciences to build and maintain an up-to-date knowledge base of our landmass.

Natural Resources Canada’s Mandate:

Nearly two thirds of its expenditures and efforts are devoted to science and technology (S&T); remainder is devoted to policy and program activities

Examples of areas of scientific investigation : Forestry science Materials research Geoscience Metal mine effluents

NRCan’s main sectors involved in Environmental Assessment (EA) and mining-related permitting : Minerals and Metals Sector, Earth Sciences Sector, Science

and Policy Integration

NRCan’s Structure

Responsibilities under the Explosives Act NRCan brought into EAs as a regulator under the

Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA) Support NIRB reviews for projects in Nunavut (e.g.

Doris North, Meadowbank) Provision of expertise to support EAs

geosciences (permafrost, hydrogeology, surficial geology), explosives and mine waste management

NRCan’s Participation in Mining EAs

NRCan’s Explosives Regulatory Division (ERD) administers Canada's Explosives Act and Regulations.

The Explosives Act and Regulations control : Authorization, classification and testing; manufacture;

importation; sale; storage; transportation by road; use of fireworks.

The following are not under the jurisdiction of ERD : Explosives controlled by the military The use of blasting explosives, which is provincial / territorial. Explosive storage permits, which are issued by the province or

territory.

Explosives Act and Regulations

Explosives Factory Licences

Licences issued under Section 7 of the Explosives Act trigger NRCan’s involvement under the NLCA and are law list triggers under CEAA.

Licences are issued only for an explosives factory or magazine.

An explosives factory licence is issued to the party that will operate the factory – not the proponent. Explosives suppliers are quite familiar with requirements.

Explosives Act and Regulations – Licences, Certificates and Permits

The Minister (Natural Resources) is given the power by the Act and Regulations to issue licences, certificates and permits required. This power is delegated to the Chief Inspector of Explosives

and other designated Inspectors in ERD.

Most licences, certificates and permits are issued from ERD Headquarters in Ottawa. In Nunavut, the following Regional offices issue magazine licences : St. Hyacinthe for eastern NU Calgary for western NU

An explosives factory licence would be required to : Store and supply bulk emulsion and ammonium nitrate (AN)

prills and have garage and/or wash bay to support bulk explosive truck operation

Manufacture bulk emulsion from AN solution, supply AN prills and have garage and/or wash bay to support bulk explosive truck operation (less remote locations)

Manufacture of bulk emulsion from prilled AN, supply AN prills and have garage and/or wash bay to support bulk explosive truck operation (remote locations)

Manufacture packaged ammonium nitrate fuel oil to supply an underground operation.

Explosive Factory Licences

Explosive factory-specific topics included in an EA : what explosives are involved; maximum quantities of explosives; fuel and ammonium nitrate storage plans; liquid effluent disposal plans; accidents and malfuctions - worst case scenario; spill contingency plans; emergency response plan; site evacuation plan.

EA Requirements for an Explosive Factory License

Licences are issued for one year, can be renewed

Each factory license is inspected at least once a year

If everything is in order, takes 30 working days to issue the licence

Guidelines on licensing requirements are available at : http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms-smm/expl-expl/gbef-diev-eng.htm (July 2010 - Revision 5.1)

Timelines - Explosive Factory Licences

NRCan involved through screening (CEAA) and impact review (NIRB) for the Doris North Project, both completed in 2006.

NRCan contributed its expertise in the NIRB Part V Review and focused on: Assessment of tailings disposal alternatives; Water quality and water management strategy; Design of the jetty and related issues including effects on fish

habitat, shoreline erosion, and the sea bed; and Handling and movement of ammonium nitrate.

Past NRCan Involvement – Doris North Project

John Clarke

Environmental Assessment

Science and Policy Integration, NRCan

T: (613) 943-0773

E: john.clarke@nrcan.gc.ca

Fadi Haddad

Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Affairs

Minerals and Metals Sector, NRCan

T: (613) 996-5317

E: fadi.haddad@nrcan.gc.ca

EA Contact