Technical Services Office

Who We Are

The Technical Services Office is a unit within Mining Lands Section whose staff are specialists in a variety of issues pertaining to mining lands.  This unit handles unusual and special circumstances relating to land tenure and the administration of Minister-delegated sections of the Mining Act.

The Land Technicians

• carry out field investigations to ensure compliance with the provision of the Mining Act, on behalf of the Minister, Mining and Lands Commissioner, or the Provincial Mining Recorder
• provide technical services and assistance to the Ministry staff, Senior Management and the general public on the Mining Act and its regulations   
• process applications for mining land tenure under special circumstances which have been delegated from the Minister

Who We Serve

• the Minister and senior management within the Mines and Minerals Division
• other Provincial Government ministries such as the Ministry of Natural Resources
• any person or company, who owns or holds an interest in Crown mineral rights
• any person or company who has a concern regarding the use of Crown mineral rights
• Aboriginal communities who are seeking to understand the impacts of mining activities around their reserves
• the Ontario Government, which develops polices and procedures to best serve the public interest

What We Provide

The Land Technicians provide

• Extensions of Time under Section 67(5) of the Mining Act
• Exclusions of Time under Section 67(5) of the Mining Act    
• Relief from Forfeitures under Section 185 of the Mining Act  
• Acquisition of land under Sections 84 and 176(3) of the Mining Act
• Inspections and investigations of staking and exploration work for compliance of the Mining Act (staking, assessment work, improper use of mining land)

We work with other Ministries and Federal Agencies to assure policies and procedures are developed and implemented that best serve the public interest.