Mineral Development and Lands Branch (MDLB)

Who We Are

The Mineral Development and Lands Branch within the provincial government administers the Mining Act and

• Through its Mining Lands Section provides orderly and fair processes to ensure the availability of Crown land to prospect, explore and acquire Crown mineral rights for mining purposes.
• Through its Mines Group encourages, promotes and facilitates the sustained economic development of Ontario’s mineral resources in an environmentally responsible manner.  It also administers Part VII of the Mining Act, which deals principally with the rehabilitation of mines and mining lands in the province of Ontario.
• Will be undertaking the development of a Class Environmental Assessment for the Ministry’s activities that are subject to the Environmental Assessment Act.

Who We Serve

• claim stakers
• the mineral exploration industry
• any person or company who has questions about whether or not they own the mineral rights along with their surface rights
• any person, company, association or First Nations or Metis community who wants to understand the process of obtaining Crown mining rights
• the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding interaction between the Mining Act, Public Lands Act and Aggregate Resources Act
• the Ontario government, which develops policies to best serve the public interest and which promotes Ontario’s mineral resources to investors
• any person or company who needs to understand the process for permitting new and operating mines in Ontario
• any person or company who needs to understand the process for rehabilitating a mine site in Ontario
• the mineral exploration and mining companies that seek to bring mines into production in Ontario
• aboriginal communities who are seeking to understand the impacts of mine development on their Constitutionally protected rights

What We Provide

Are you looking for regulatory advice, information about how to obtain Crown mining rights, or information about your rights in your land?

• We will provide up-to-date claim maps, prospecting licences and advise on how to maintain your mining rights.
• We will provide expert advice on the Mining Act and its regulations

Are you looking for information about the regulation of mining?

• We provide information and knowledge about how mines are regulated and by whom.

Are you looking for regulatory advice and services?

• We provide advice and services so mineral development proponents can make informed decisions about project planning.
• We will co-ordinate the regulatory process and associated communications for the Ontario ministries with a regulatory role in your project; this may include federal regulators, should they choose to participate.
• Through our marketing efforts, we inform exploration companies and prospectors about Ontario’s regulatory regime for mineral development.

Are you looking for information about MNDM’s Class Environmental Assessment?

• We will be commencing the development of a Class Environmental Assessment for the Ministry’s activities that are subject to the Environmental Assessment Act.
• We will provide stakeholders, members of the public and Aboriginal communities with multiple opportunities to comment on this process.
• We provide advice and decision on Environmental Assessment Act applicability.