Mining Licences of Occupation

Mining Licences of Occupation (MLO) were once commonly issued to permit the mining of minerals under the beds of water bodies. On rare occasions the licence may include portions of dry land. They are often associated with portions of patented mining claims overlying adjacent land. Issued in perpetuity, there is no requirement to renew an MLO.

While MLO’s have not been issued since about 1964, approximately 1200 remain valid as of October 2001, and they continue to be administered under section 41 of today’s Mining Act. All MLO’s are liable to an annual flat rental fee of $5.00 per hectare.

An individual or company may hold a patented mining claim and also hold a Mining Licence of Occupation for the water portion of the same mining claim. It is important to note that when the patented land is sold, the licence is not considered part of the transfer. In order to transfer the MLO, consent is required from the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. Procedures are available online for Transferring MLO. Procedures are also available for Surrendering these licences to the Crown.

The Mining Lands Dispositions Office is the sole register for the status of MLO’s. Copies of Mining Licences of Occupation are available for a fee of $12.75 per licence plus GST and PST.

For more information please contact the Mining Lands Administrator.