WCS Canada comments in response to Canada's Critical Minerals List and methodology
Why it's important:
The Critical Minerals List has a critical role in prioritizing and advancing project development, which creates a high potential for a significantly larger material footprint resulting from the growth-inducing social and environmental impacts associated with the escalation of such activities.
What we want to see:
1) commit to a strategic assessment of Critical Minerals with the release of the updated List;
2) bolster the criteria to incorporate environmental and social sustainability, with attention to federal jurisdiction and climate commitments;
3) publish an updated List with information on its purpose and relevant mineral characteristics; and
4) include experts and civil society organizations in targeted consultations regarding criteria and their application.
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WCS Canada comments in response to Patriot Lithium (Canada) Inc. mineral exploration permit
As part of our work, we have been tracking mineral claims in Ontario since 2013, and mineral exploration permits since 2016. We have previously commented on specific mineral exploration permits. We have also recently started sharing maps of new proposed mineral exploration permits, to make it easier for people to see where mineral exploration is proposed in relation to existing mining activity and other ecological and cultural values (https://www.facebook.com/MineralTrackerON/). We wanted to provide the comment to the Ministry that there appears to be significant concern from the local communities opposing this particular permit application, based on the response to the map we created for this proposed mineral exploration permit.
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WCS Canada comments on proposed changes to Ontario’s mineral exploration plans and permits regime
WCS Canada has been tracking mineral claims in Ontario since 2013, and mineral exploration permits since 2016. We are familiar with the scope and extent of mineral claims and early mineral exploration in Ontario, and with the inadequacies of the processes for finding information about the location and ownership of mineral claims, exploration permits, and plans. We support an updated approach to Ontario’s mineral exploration plans and permits regime. Our overarching recommendation is that all changes to Ontario’s mineral exploration plans and permits regime must serve to: 1) Improve consultation processes with Indigenous People; 2) Increase transparency of updates about mineral exploration plans and permits regime for the public; and 3) Make it easier for Ontario, Indigenous Peoples, and stakeholders to track and manage cumulative impacts of mineral exploration.
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WCS Canada comments on “Proposed regulations under the Mining Act for recovery of minerals” (ERO number 019-7724)
Our main recommendation for the recovery of minerals is that these operations are held to the same standards as other active mining operations. The recovery of minerals is a promising approach to reduce the environmental impact of the mining industry by meeting the demand for minerals while reducing the need for new mines. However, there are still environmental and health risks associated with various processes used for recovering minerals from tailings. Therefore, there needs to be assurance that there will not be unacceptable environmental and social risk of recovery of minerals, or unacceptable financial liability for the public associated with cleaning up any damages associated with recovering minerals from tailings if companies fail in their obligations for adequate mine closure. We recommend that recovery of minerals from tailings be held to the same standards as other active mining operations, including requiring: 1) Feasible closure plans that minimize environmental, health, and social risks, and meet clear standards for rehabilitation; 2) Assurances that companies will be responsible for the cost of clean-up; and 3) Transparency and accountability in the process of setting and meeting these standards.
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WCS Canada comments to Great Bear on proposed mine
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