What are the laws that regulate mining in Canada?
Under the Constitution, the power to regulate mineral exploration, development, conservation, and management is generally one of exclusive provincial jurisdiction. Each of the provinces has adopted a statute or ordinance that governs the exploration for, and the acquisition and exploitation of, state-owned minerals within their respective jurisdictions. There is also general provincial legislation for environmental, workplace safety, and labour purposes that has an impact on mining activities. The federal government enjoys the same powers in respect of minerals on federal public lands. Moreover, the federal legislative powers over minerals are exclusive in the three federal territories and in the offshore. The Constitution also provides the federal government with certain powers that apply concurrently with provincial legislation over specific aspects of mineral activities, such as interprovincial and international trade. The federal government also has the power to declare a local wor
