Source: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1646254771526/1646254827874

Mine development and production

Information about the legislation related to permitting of mine development and production.

Phase 1: Prospecting and exploration

1. Use the Nunavut Map Selection (NMS) system to acquire a licence to prospect
2. Select mineral claims using NMS
3. Do your exploration activities require a land use permit or water license?
4. No: Perform work not requiring these permits on your mineral claims
5. Yes: Submit your project proposal to Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) for conformity determination, which will be completed within 45 days.
6. Go to Land Use Planning flowchart
7. Project conforms
8. Apply to Crown-Indigenous Relations Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) Lands Administration for land use permit and to Nunavut Water Board (NWB) for water licence related to exploration work
9. Go to Water Licence flowchart
10. Receive land use permit and water licence
11. Perform work on your mineral claim
12. Go to Phase 2: Advanced exploration and mine development

Phase 2: Advanced exploration and mine development

1. Apply to CIRNAC Mining Recorder's Office (MRO) to convert your mineral claims with sufficient work leases
2. Apply to CIRNAC Lands for your mine project's land use permit, and to Nunavut Water Board (NWB) for water licence related to mine development and operation
3. Submit your mine project proposal to Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) to begin the impact assessment process
4. Go to Impact Assessment flowchart
5. Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) issues a Project Certificate
6. Go to Phase 3: Production

Phase 3: Production

1. Permitted and licensed activities at your mine site, including progressive reclamation activities, may begin
2. CIRNAC field inspectors, IPGs, and other regulators make periodic site visits to monitor and enforce permit terms and conditions
3. Draft abandonment and remediation plan is prepared prior to planned closure
4. Production operations cease
5. Go to Phase 4: Closure and reclamation

Phase 4: Closure and reclamation

1. NWB approves your final abandonment and remediation plan
2. Post-closure monitoring and enforcement inspections and financial security review take place
3. Final closure inspection prior to issuance of letters of clearance for land use permit and water licence
4. Final review of financial security and release of funds to you as the proponent
5. Abandonment of mine site