Regulation Changes
What is new that will impact IGOs and proponents?
Take a Prospector Awareness Course, more work requirements, submit core reports, approval for removal of minerals, share more information (notice of intended work, EDTR etc.), get work credits for engagement, mandatory benefits requirements, lease expenditures reporting, to get a production licence and statistical reporting
Why does Industry need to take a prospector’s Awareness course?
Understand the history of the NWT in relation to Indigenous Peoples and creating an atmosphere of respect and knowledge sharing.
What will Industry need to help support their transition to MRA?
Guidance documents (information in how to do things in the future), GNWT staff to talk to and ask questions, GNWT staff to be able to call when things aren’t working, access and help filling in new forms/ templates/ applications etc.
What does outreach need to help prepare them for their responsibilities?
knowledge on the changes, drafted guidelines, change management plans (e.g. meeting with IGOs and Industry to explain details) work plans, Transitional Plan, schedule with milestones, budget, training plan, IT support, etc.
Name 2 main pieces of information that you have heard IGOs will receive?
Notice of intended work (NOIW), Notice of Application to Record (NAR), Notice of Lease Application (NOLA), Notice of Lease Issuance (NOLI), Simplified Evidence of Deposit Technical Report (EDTR)
Why are the new notices being provided to IGOs?
Increased information sharing between proponents and IGOs
Part of reconciliation
What is outreach WG responsible for to prepare Industry?
What guidance documents say and where to find them, guidance documents are understandable for the audience, answering or finding the answer to proponents questions, ensuring proponents know what the changes are and how to do them
What is the new timeline for holding and working a claim?
30 years
Why is the length of claim now 30 years (it used to be 10 years)?
A company must spend time figuring out if a mine can actually be built at that location before applying for a lease. The lease stage will be when mineral rights are transferred to a company (compared with current regs where a mineral claim is only required)
What will IGOs need to help support their transition to the MRA?
Understanding of new notices, what to do with new notices (in the form of guidance documents), GNWT staff to talk to ask questions to, having guidance documents
What is the new technical report called that will be provided by the mining company to go to lease?
Evidence of Deposit Technical Report (EDTR)
Why do the companies now have to submit an Evidence of Deposit Technical Report?
They must prove that the mine is viable before a lease will be approved (when mineral rights are granted). This will also provide the economic outlook for the development to equip IGOs with the knowledge they need to negotiate their own benefits agreement.
What is outreach WG responsible for to help prepare IGOs?
Be familiar with notices and know what IGOs can do with them, guidance documents are understandable for the audience, answering or finding the answer to questions
What is the new licence required to produce and sell minerals?
Production Licence will be required for lease owners to sell minerals
Why do companies now need a production licence?
Be able to sell minerals, for better government control of process, tie in benefits agreements, obtain increased reporting of production information, have material change processes in place.
Who do you need to communicate with to do your work? Internally and externally?
Interest holders. IGOs. MRO, DRFA, PPCA, proponents, L&WB etc.