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| Feature-Based Definitions |
The NOAMI feature-based classification system
presented below is based upon the features present at each mineral site. The four class system was
based on the scheme used by Ontario to classify sites in their AMIS (Abandoned Mines Information
System). The Ontario classification work provided the typical type of features associated with
mineral sites in each of the four classes. The NOAMI classification scheme used these
typical features to place each mineral site from across Canada in one of the four classes.
In some jurisdictions their orphaned/abandoned sites were classified by their experts. In other
jurisdictions the sites were classified by the NOAMI database compilers. The four feature-based
classes range from 'A' (high risk) to 'D' (low risk). The estimates made by the NOAMI database
compilers are denoted by the addition of an asterisks to the class designation (i.e. A*). When a
site has been reviewed and the classification approved by a jurisdiction expert the asterisks is
removed from the designation. A wide range of publicly available data sources are reviewed by the
NOAMI database compilers to arrive at a classification, including exploration reports, government
databases and high resolution imagery.
"A site with potential to cause environmental, public health and public safety concerns.”
- Site may have deep unprotected openings to surface such as shafts, raises and open stopes.
Hazardous openings on surface, crown pillars, waste rock piles with ARD and radioactive concerns,
dilapidated buildings such as head frames, mills, shops and dries can also be expected. Chemicals
can include PCBs, asbestos, fuels, explosives and concentrates. Scrap metal and other debris will
also likely be present.
- Site contains large tailings ponds which may or may not be contained. Former settling ponds
also may be present.
"A site with limited potential to cause environmental concerns but with potential for public health and safety
concerns.”
- Site may have deep unprotected openings to surface such as shafts, raises and open stopes.
Hazardous openings on surface, crown pillars, waste rock piles with ARD and radioactive concerns,
dilapidated buildings such as head frames, mills, shops and dries can also be expected. Chemicals
can include PCBs, asbestos, fuels, explosives and concentrates. Scrap metal and other debris will
also likely be present.
- Site may contain small tailings areas but these are of limited concern.
"A site with public safety concerns but little or no public health or environmental concerns.”
- Site contains hazardous openings to surface, waste rock piles and
possible dilapidated structures associated with the mine openings.
- No tailings are present at the site.
"A site with no expected environmental, public health or public safety concerns.”
- Site contains minor surface features only such as trenches, test pits and stripping.
- No tailings are present at the site.
"Information is not available.”
NOAMI
Definitions
The suggested
NOAMI database definitions presented below are designed to accommodate
as many of the definitions used by the Canadian jurisdictions as
possible or at least avoid any direct conflict. An attempt to avoid
terms already in use in these jurisdictions and yet provide terms
that may be directly correlated has been made. The inclusion of
all mineral sites that are not active and not just those considered
orphaned/abandoned allows all jurisdictions to place their mineral
sites within the definitions without drawing any unwarranted conclusions
about the site ownership.
*Note:
The Interactive Maps and Search the Database sections of this website
do not include Active Mineral Sites.
The following
definitions describe the range of activity statuses which may
occur at a site where minerals are explored for or mined. The relationship
of these terms are illustrated in the above figure.
"A site on which some physical disturbance
has occurred due to mineral exploration, mining or processing.”
- The word “mineral” is used to limit the definition
to metallic, coal and industrial mineral commodities. Aggregate
resources are not included in this definition as in most jurisdictions
their ownership and utilization is handled in a significantly
different manner than metallic, coal and industrial mineral commodities.
- The word “site” is used as being more specific than
terms such as project and property which are not necessarily spatially
limited to the area of disturbance. A site may contain many features
or hazards.
“A
site on which mineral exploration, mining or processing is ongoing
with the proper regulatory approvals in place.”
- Active mineral exploration sites are those sites included in
the approved work program of the current mineral tenure holder.
- Active mineral mining sites are those sites covered by the appropriate
mining permissions.
- Active mineral processing sites are those sites involved in
the ongoing process of beneficiating mine commodities.
“All
mineral sites which are not considered active mineral sites.”
- Inactive sites may be inactive for many reasons including but
not limited to:
a. completion of the exploration, mining or processing project
b. standby status of exploration, mining or processing project
awaiting better market conditions
c. loss of owner/operator capability for any number of reasons
“A
former active mineral site at which mineral exploration, mining
or processing has concluded and all current appropriate regulatory
obligations have been satisfied.”
- The implication being that the site was reclaimed to the level
required at the time of termination by the responsible jurisdiction
authority.
“An
inactive site that has not been terminated and that has no obvious
owner.”
- Many neglected mineral sites are in existence due to changes
in regulations that have imposed defined termination parameters
after the mineral site became inactive.
- No ownership or site responsibility is implied in this definition.
“A
neglected mineral site that has not been terminated and that has
no responsible owner.”
- Responsibility for the site reverts to the Crown either provincially
or federally depending on the jurisdiction.
- Orphaned mineral site is synonymous with abandoned mineral site.
- This definition only applies to those sites which have been
proven to have no responsible party other than the crown.
- Abandoned (Orphaned) mineral sites may be adopted by a responsible
party other than the crown and become active mineral sites.
“A
neglected mineral site that has not been terminated and that has
an owner.”
- The responsible owner may or may not be aware of their ownership
of the mineral site.
- A neglected mineral site usually becomes a legacy mineral site
through detailed ownership investigation. It is possible that
the owner was not aware of their ownership and on becoming aware
of their ownership moves the mineral site into the care and maintenance
or active category awaiting termination.
Provincial/Territorial
Definitions
Alberta
Definition:
No definitions
related to abandoned mines are included in the legislation or
have been defined formally. Although not formally defined the
term ‘Abandoned’ is used informally in the title of
the Coal Mine Atlas and the term ‘Permitted Mine’
refers to any mine site for which a current mine permit exists.
Source: CAL
DATA report
Database: ST-45
Coal Mine Atlas: Operating and Abandoned Coal Mines in Alberta
Coal was first
excavated in Alberta during the late 1700s and early 1800s to
fuel blacksmiths' forges at Fort Edmonton. In 1874, Nicholas Sheran
opened the first commercial mine on the banks of the Oldman River
in southern Alberta to supply coal to a local market. The westward
expansion of the railway saw the opening of Alberta's first large-scale
mine in 1882: the Galt Mine, located near Sheran's original workings.
Since that time, more than 2000 mines have operated in the province,
producing over 1 billion tonnes of coal. At present, there are
28 permitted mines in the province, with only 11 of these currently
producing coal. The term "permitted mine" refers to
any mine site for which a current mine permit exists.
The Alberta
Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) first published the Coal Mine
Atlas in 1985 to serve primarily as a guide for identifying the
areas in the province where mining has occurred. More detailed
information can be obtained from actual mine plans, some of which
may be viewed at EUB Information Services (403-297-8190). The
publication of this atlas (2001-45) updates the third edition
(94-45), the second edition (88-45), and the 1992 supplement (93-45A).
Department:
Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board
British Columbia
Definitions:
Abandoned
mine: means a mine for which all permit obligations
under this Act have been satisfied and in respect of which the
mineral claims have reverted to the government. Closed
mine: means a mine at which all mining activities
have ceased but in respect of which the owner, agent, manager
or permittee remains responsible for compliance with this Act,
the regulations, the code and that person's obligations under
the permit for that mine.
Source: British
Columbia Mines Act [RSBC 1996] CHAPTER 293
Historic mine site: a place where mechanical disturbance
of the ground or any excavation has been made to produce coal,
mineral bearing substances, placer minerals, rock, sand or gravel,
or other mined materials, including sites used for processing,
concentrating, and waste disposal, and where a Mines Act permit
does not exist for the mine site.
Source: Historic
Mines of British Columbia (BCMEMPR Open File 2003-03)
Database: Historic
Mine Sites Database
The Historic
Mine Sites Database was built using Microsoft Access as the platform
and was designed to incorporate geological, geochemical, geotechnical
and administrative information for each site. The strength of
the database is the ability of the user to input a wide range
of data sources and the ease at which detailed queries can be
performed. The primary purpose of the database is to house an
inventory of historic mine sites containing technical information,
which characterizes sites. A secondary purpose of the database
is to collect technical data on operating mines, which have been
permitted by the Ministry to assist in regulatory functions. The
database is currently a ‘work in progress’ as it is
still being tested, amended and updated.
Manitoba
Definition:
"Abandoned"
means, in relation to a mine, a mine in respect of which the right
to mine has been forfeited, cancelled, revoked or otherwise terminated
Source:
THE WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT (C.C.S.M. c. W210), Operation
of Mines Regulation 228/94, Registered December 2, 1994. http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/w210e.php
Orphaned
or abandoned (O/A) mines are mines
for which the owner cannot be found or is financially unable or
unwilling to carry out site rehabilitation.
Source:
Manitoba, Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Mineral Resources, Mines (Regulatory)
http://www.gov.mb.ca/iem/mines/oa_rehabilitation.html
Database Name: Manitoba Mining thru the Centuries (various databases)
Over the last
100 years, mining has helped build and expand communities across
Manitoba and continues to play a significant role in the economic
well-being of many communities, particularly in the north. Mining
currently contributes over $2 billion annually in mineral production
to the provincial economy.Today’s mining practices and regulations
ensure that mines are operated and closed in an environmentally
sound manner; however, many communities across Canada, including
Manitoba, are dealing with the legacy of mines that were abandoned
decades ago and continue to pose health and safety problems.
Department: Manitoba, Growth, Enterprise and Trade
|
New
Brunswick
Definition:
Abandoned
Mine:
Means an inactive mine site or mineral exploration site where
there are no active mining claims or lease and where the mining
company responsible for the mining no longer exists or cannot
be found.
Source:
New Brunswick Abandoned Mine Sites Policy (Policy Number: MRE
006 2004, C. R. File Number: 565 00 0002, Effective Date: September
1, 2004, To Be Reviewed: September 1, 2008, Approval: Original
signed by W. David Ferguson, Deputy Minister, September 1, 2004.)
http://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/en/pdf/Minerals-Minerales/Abandoned_Mines_Policy-e.pdf
Database: New Brunswick Mineral History Database
New Brunswick
maintans an on-going inventory and database that includes known abandoned
mines located on Crown lands and private lands.
Department:
New Brunswick Energy and Resource Development, Energy and Mines
Nova
Scotia
Definition:
Abandoned
mine: No formal definition but the term is used to indicate mine
openings that are no longer active. Ownership is not part of this
definition as about 75% of the abandoned mines are on private
land.
Source:
CAL
DATA report
Database Name: Nova
Scotia Abandoned Mine Openings
This digital
product is developed from a database of published abandoned mine
openings for the province of Nova Scotia. The database is maintained
by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources (NSDNR), Mineral
Resources Branch (MRB). The digital product was created by the
NSDNR MRB staff. The database provides approximate coordinate
locations for many of the abandoned mine openings, and also provides
a source reference on each mine opening.
Department:
Nova
Scotia Department of Natural Resources
Ontario
Definition:
The following
are “working” definitions not defined by Statute or
Regulation. Abandoned mines: those
which had ceased production and closed prior to Part VII of Ontario’s
Mining Act coming into effect. They are described as where mining
or milling has ceased, but where the site has not been rehabilitated.
Abandoned: is a site where a proponent has ceased or suspended
indefinitely advanced exploration, mining, or mine production
on the site, without rehabilitating the site. Orphaned
mine: has been used by some to describe sites without an
owner. They use the term orphaned on an informal basis if the
owner can not be found or the site has reverted to the crown.
Source:
CAL
DATA report
Database: Abandoned
Mines Information System Database; Abandoned Mine Features (AMIS)
AMIS is a
database containing basic information on all known abandoned and
inactive mine sites located on both Crown and privately held lands
within the province of Ontario.
Department:
Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Mines and Minerals
Saskatchewan
Definition:
Abandoned
Site: A site at which the operator has unilaterally rejected
custodial responsibility for ongoing reclamation or remediation.
This can be voluntary, or involuntary as in the case of bankruptcy.
Orphaned Site: An abandoned mine
site for which a responsible party (custodian) can no longer be
located or does not exist.
Closed Site: A site at which all
decommissioning, reclamation measures and transition phase monitoring
have been completed to the satisfaction of the succeeding custodian.
Source:
Institutional Control Program
Department:
Saskatchewan Business - Agriculture, Natural Resources and Industry, Mineral Exploration and Mining
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