Mineral Resources Branch
Geology Matters: Day 2Tuesday October 30, 2012
Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources:Providing Support for Responsible Mineral Development
Donald JamesMineral Resources Branch
Mineral Resources Branch
Mineral Resources Branch: Connecting with the Mineral Industry
Geological Services Division:
• Providing field- and office-based geoscience expertise, data, support and ideas to assist in understanding geology and mineral occurrences, core library, DNR regional offices, supporting business development (e.g., Geology Matters, PDAC)
Mineral Management Division:
• Coordination of projects/proponents and regulators in the Mining One Window and contributions to the EA and regulatory process.
• Administering the Mineral Resources Act: rights management, mine reclamation, abandoned mines
Liaison Functions:
• Providing a ‘window’ to government, Aboriginal Consultation, non-government organizations, and the public
Mineral Resources Branch
Mineral Resources Branch: Connecting with Nova Scotians
Mineral Resources Branch
• Sustainable Resource Development: Making Nova Scotia a more
competitive environment for the mining industry … growing the
economy• The Mineral Incentive Program• The digital registry project• Exploring secondary processing opportunities
Implementing the Strategy: 1
• Education and Shared Stewardship• Commitment to “Engage Nova Scotians in … making decisions
about mineral resource development that affects their
communities.”
Mineral Resources Branch
Mineral Resources ActCHAPTER 18 OF THE
ACTS OF 1990 amended 1992, c. 14, s. 61; 1992,
c. 37, ss. 1, 2; 1994, c. 36;1995-96, c. 8, s. 20; 2001, c. 6, s. 118;
1999 (2nd Sess.), c. 12
Implementing the Strategy: 2
• Good Governance: Modern Acts
and policies, efficient
government.
Review and amendment of the
Mineral Resources Act• First step will be a scoping and
process ‘road map’ exercise.• Will be carried out in consultation
with industry, non-government
organizations, government and
the public.• Will be initiated in 2013 and will
probably take several years to
complete.
Mineral Resources Branch
Geology Matters 2012:Community Engagement Workshop
• Building a sense of trust with land owners, communities, governments and NGOs will be essential for the future survival of the minerals industry.
• There’s no government service outlet that issues a social license to operate. There’s no easy, consistent, ‘check-box’ template that can be applied. It must be constantly earned and monitored. One is never entirely certain of when it’s earned but it’s easy to know when you’ve lost it.
