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.