Resources

Canadian Government Agencies

These federal departments and agencies play a central role in the regulation and oversight of mining in Canada.

• Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC): The lead federal body for conducting impact assessments of major projects.
• Natural Resources Canada (NRCan): The primary federal department for natural resource policy, science, and information.
• Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC): Responsible for enforcing environmental laws like CEPA and pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO): Responsible for protecting fish and fish habitat.
• Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC): Manages federal responsibilities related to Indigenous and northern affairs.

Provincial and Territorial Bodies

Each province and territory has its own ministries responsible for mining and environmental oversight. Examples include:

• British Columbia: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation; Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
• Ontario: Ministry of Mines; Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
• Quebec: Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts; Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs.
• Alberta: Alberta Energy Regulator (AER).

Industry Associations and Initiatives

These organizations represent the mining industry and often develop voluntary standards and best practices.

• Mining Association of Canada (MAC): The national voice of the Canadian mining industry, which developed the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative.
• Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC): Represents the mineral exploration and development community.
• Canada's Mining Innovation Council (CMIC): A national council that facilitates collaboration in mining innovation.

International Frameworks and Organizations

International standards and organizations that influence global sustainability practices in mining.

• International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM): An international organization dedicated to a safe, fair, and sustainable mining and metals industry.
• Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM): A new global standard for the safer management of tailings facilities.
• Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA): A multi-stakeholder developed standard for responsible mining at the site level.
• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP): A comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous peoples.