Provincial mining branch boosts resources for quarry applications
The provincial Natural Resources department is increasing staff to improve efficiency of processing quarry permit applications in the mines branch.
In the next weeks, a quarry recorder and at least two additional clerks will be added to the quarry tenure team at the branch. This follows on the hiring of a quarry rehabilitation program manager, earlier this year.
“Due to significant staff changes in the last few years, we are reviewing and revising policies to ensure applications are processed consistently and efficiently to avoid delays and improve compliance. This is further supported by our Mining and Quarry Inspection team becoming fully staffed last year to assist with compliance and field support,” Assist. Deputy Minister Jeff Kraynyk said in a communication to MHCA.
As well, work continues on establishing the pre-cleared list for faster review periods by government agencies and First Nations communities. The branch will be providing better information to industry on what information is required to expedite the review process for all dispositions. This would include detailed maps, pit plans, and relevant surface agreements as a few examples.
The branch is planning a series of online “how to” sessions in the spring and summer to cover the application process and provide information on how to submit and manage quarry tenure using iMaQs. Having clients shift to online applications using iMaQs will greatly improve efficiency and help ensure all application details are correct and all required information is included.
The branch also notes industry can help improve the workflow and efficiency of quarry tenure processing. Attention to the below practices can help reduce or avoid delays:
- Not filing previous returns on Quarry Tenure. If these former returns are not filed, the operator is in non-compliance and the Branch can not release and complete processing of pending permits.
- Amounts requested for removal on new applications need to be within reasonable quantities. We are currently receiving 100 – 300 % over estimating on volumes. Sometimes this is done thinking that it will assist the operator, however, this actually delays the process by creating uncertainty and concerns on movement and stockpiling.
- Submitting applications & returns online. As mentioned, we intend to provide online sessions later this year, but incorrect or missing information takes an enormous amount of time with follow-ups and delays staff from working on and proceeding with the review and issuance process.
- Quarry clients need to stay within the boundary applied for in their applications. A significant number of non-compliances and stop work orders have been issued due to mining out of bounds and prohibits our Branch from issuing new dispositions and consumes significant resources.
