Regulatory Issues
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POTASH: Fertilizer Canada decries lack of consultation as Saskatchewan ups tax burden
OTTAWA – Fertilizer Canada – representing manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of nitrogen, phosphate, potash and sulphur fertilizers – has decried the lack of consultation with the Saskatchewan government before changes were made to the current potash taxation regime. Saskatchewan potash…
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MONEY: Canadian budget update full of goodies for miners
OTTAWA – In a move long sought by mineral explorers active in Canada, Canada’s federal government has extended its mineral exploration tax credit (METC) for five years, in contrast to the prior tradition of renewing it annually. The news came…
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Federal gov’t unveils Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan
Canada’s federal government used the opportunity of the annual convention of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada in Toronto in early March to unveil its 44-page Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan (CMMP), which is intended to guide federal and…
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GUIDELINES: CIM updates standards, best practices and guidance for mineral reserves and resources
MONTREAL – The CIM Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Committee (MRMR) published the revised Mineral Exploration Best Practice Guidelines, a 17-page document meant to assist professional geoscientists and exploration practitioners in planning, supervising and executing exploration programs, on Dec. 6,…
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Pros and cons of the USMCA
The new NAFTA
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ASSESSMENT: Energy and mines ministers meet, disagree over Bill 69
IQALUIT, Nunavut – Last week the provincial and territorial mines and energy ministers met in this northern town. Such meetings are most often a gathering of like-minded people who engage in smiles and back slapping. This time there were a…
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Ecuador eases rules on early-stage exploration drilling
Ecuador’s Minister of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources says holders of mining concessions can now drill on early-phase exploration projects in the country. Previously, drilling was only permitted during the advanced exploration phase and required an environmental licence. Under the…
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ENVIRONMENT: Fifteen Mile Stream Gold Project – Public Comments Invited
OTTAWA – The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) has commenced a federal environmental assessment for the proposed Fifteen Mile Stream Gold Project, located 95 kilometres northeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Agency invites the public and Indigenous groups to comment on which aspects…
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GOLD: Agnico Eagle Provides Update on Nunavut Projects
TORONTO – Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is providing an update on activities at its 100% owned Nunavut projects. These include the Amaruq project, which is located approximately 50 kilometres northwest of the Meadowbank mine, and the Meliadine project, which is located approximately 25 kilometres…
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New DRC mining code comes into force
After months of outcry from foreign mining companies active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the new DRC mining code proposed in March was signed into law with no adjustments on June 8, effectively raising taxes and increasing…
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TRANSPORTATION: MAC says feds fail at railway oversight
OTTAWA – The Mining Association of Canada is disappointed and frustrated by the federal government’s failure to protect captive users from price gouging by Canada’s railways. The mineral industry is the single largest customer group of this country’s railways. Mining…
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TRAINING: Learn the skills, comply with federal drone regulations
WINNIPEG – Transport Canada regulations released in December 2016, require proper training and education for those who wish to use drones for commercial purposes. Regulations require that anyone using a drone for any purpose besides the recreational enjoyment of flying…
