An Update from the Geoscience Assessment Office on Revised Correspondence Format

An update from the Geoscience Assessment Office on revised correspondence format

From time to time, the Geoscience Assessment Office (GAO) will be enhancing our business interaction processes with our mineral exploration clientele. The first major improvement is in our correspondence in regards to assessment work status. This is an ongoing process and the staff in GAO welcome your comments and suggestions for our review.

The Geoscience Assessment Office has revised the format of the assessment work correspondence. This computer generated correspondence allows the GAO to provide clear and concise correspondence to clients while maintaining an accurate assessment file internal tracking database.

The submission number (e.g. 2.12345) and the transaction number(s) (e.g. W9605.00007) used to identify the assessment work submission are shown on all pages of the correspondence. The GAO assigns the Submission number to the assessment work for tracking the file. The CLAIMS database generates a transaction number for each Work Declaration form filed with the assessment work and then tracks the assessment work in the CLAIMS system. These numbers should be used to reference your assessment work when corresponding with the GAO or the Recording office.

The new correspondence has three parts:

• Cover letter - a generic letter addressed to the recorded holder(s) and the agent
• Work Report Assessment Results Page - contains the specific details of the assessment work review. A status is given for each transaction number. The page shows:
  • the date of approval or deadline for submitting revisions.
  • the regulation under which the revisions are required.
  • the township and the first claim number where work was performed for easier identification of the assessment work .
  • a list of clients who will receive correspondence appears at the lower right corner of the page.
• Distribution of Assessment Work Credit Page - will be enclosed only if the assessment credit is redistributed to better reflect where the work was performed or if the amount of work changes as a result of a credit reduction.
  

Work Report Assessment Results Status

A status is given for each work declaration form submitted with the assessment work. This means that in some cases, some of the work could be approved, and some could have another status. A separate transaction number and status is given for each assessment work declaration form submitted with the assessment work.

1. Approval

   The assessment work is approved.

   • the Work Report Assessment Results page will outline the details of the approval
   • a Distribution of Assessment Work Credit page will be included if the assessment work credit has been adjusted. For example, a reduction in credit.

2. Approval After Notice

   A 45 day notice was sent for the assessment work, but it is now approved.

   • the Work Report Assessment Results page will outline the details of the approval
   • a Distribution of Assessment Work Credit page will be included if the assessment work credit has been adjusted. For example, a reduction in credit.

3. Deemed Approved

   A notice of deficiency was not sent within 90 days of the assessment work being filed, and the eligible assessment work is "deemed" to be approved.

   • the Work Report Assessment Results page will outline the details of the approval

4. 45 Day Notice

   The 90-day deemed approval provision (subsection 6(7) of The Assessment Work Regulation) is no longer in effect for assessment work with a 45 Day Notice. A response date which is required is shown on the Work Report Assessment Results page. Extensions of time for this date are not available.

If there is a credit reduction:

• the Work Report Assessment Results page will outline the reasons for the reduction.
• you can contact the Geoscience Assessment Office to discuss the reduction within the 45 day period outlined in the correspondence.
• if the anniversary dates have not passed for claims affected by a cutback, a number of options may be available to maintain the claims (i.e. extensions, filing more work). Please contact the applicable Mining Recorder to discuss these options.
• if the anniversary date has passed and there is not enough work on record to hold the claims, the claims will forfeit and may be open for staking.
  

If a revision to the technical report or declaration form is requested:

• you have 45 days from the date of the notice to submit the revisions requested.
• any revisions must be submitted in duplicate to the Geoscience Assessment Office.
• If you do not submit the revisions by the "response required by" date shown on the summary, the assessment work will not be approved. If the anniversary date has passed and there is not enough work on record to hold the claims, the claims will forfeit and may be open for staking.
  

If there is a request for expense verification:

• You have 45 days from the date of the notice to verify the expenses claimed for assessment credit.
• You can verify the expenses with cancelled cheques, invoices or receipts.
• If you do not verify the expenses by the date shown on the summary, the assessment work will not be approved. If the anniversary date has passed and there is not enough work on record to hold the claims, the claims will forfeit and may be open for staking.
  

If the assessment work is deleted

• the assessment work credit will not be recorded on the mining lands.
• the technical reports and maps will be returned to the claim holder if they are not required to fulfill the assessment work requirements for another separate transaction.

Should you have any questions please contact the Geoscience Assessment Office.