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Ontario Nature says they oppose Ont. government proposed Mining Act

Victor diamond mine © Jackie Hookimaw (CNW Group/Ontario Nature)

TORONTO — Ontario Nature is urging the Government of Ontario to withdraw the proposed amendments to the Mining Act, which will increase the likelihood of significantly harming the environment and surrounding communities. In response to this alarming proposal, Ontario Nature launched an Action Alert to raise awareness and voice opposition.

They say these changes will weaken existing environmental protection and rehabilitation requirements under the guise of improving efficiency and reducing administrative burden. According to MiningWatch Canada, the proposed Mining Act changes would:

1. Reduce requirements for mining companies to post bonds or other financial securities to cover clean-up costs after a mine closes;
2. Allow companies to approve their own closure and rehabilitation plans, without government review or approval;
3. Allow companies to begin operations before having comprehensive mine closure plans in place; and
4. Lower standards for rehabilitation by allowing “alternate” uses, conditions or infrastructure to remain on the site after closure.

Currently, mining projects in Ontario are not required to undergo environmental assessments. Measures regarding the projects’ environmental impact are largely addressed through closure and rehabilitation plans and financial assurances. Ontario Nature says weakening these requirements essentially downloads the environmental, social and financial risks to the public.

“This is yet another example of the Government of Ontario attempting to ram through development-friendly proposals that will benefit large corporations under the guise of fixing existing policies and backlogs,” said Corina Brdar, Ontario Nature’s Conservation Policy and Planning Manager. “Given their serious ecological and carbon footprint and impact on Indigenous communities, mining projects require careful, long-term planning.”

Ontario Nature says that mining development in Ontario must proceed only with comprehensive plans for closure and rehabilitation in place, financial assurances that fully cover environmental and health liabilities, as well as the free, prior and informed consent of affected Indigenous communities.