Feature Article August 24, 2003
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Bedford Mining Alert Annual Meeting
More than 70 people gathered in the Bedford District Community Centre on Saturday to hear about mining issues affecting our area.
John McKillop, Chairperson of the Bedford Mining Alert, reviewed the progress that had been made in recent months. Almost 120 mining claims had been filed in South Frontenac and Tay Valley Townships in recent years. But most of these were cancelled earlier this year. However, the company that had filed the claims has applied for relief from forfeiture. Their request is currently under review within the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. At this time there are 25 active claims remaining in the two townships.
McKillop noted the increased diligence that government officials have been applying in their review of mining claim applications. In the past prospectors have been able to enter property without consent of the landowner and to file claims that lacked an adequate description of the improvements on the property. These actions violated the terms of the Mining Act that have existed for more than a century, but had been overlooked. Just recently the government officials denied claims that did not comply with these terms of the law.
Two senior officials of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines attended the meeting and addressed current issues from their standpoint. Ron Gashinski, Senior Manager of the Mining Lands Division, and Roy Denomme, Mining Recorder for Southern Ontario, encouraged the attendees to propose changes to the current mining legislation to resolve recent issues. During the discussion they noted that formerly landowners in one region of southwestern Ontario who held only surface rights had been able to regain the mineral rights for their property. While the ministry is not authorizing this today, the past action represents a precedent. Thus, the current policy could be reviewed.
In another area, the officials shared that the ministry has not considered fully the potential impact of the recent legislation to protect source water on mining operations and claim applications. From the discussion it was apparent that, except for the oversight of the construction of roads and ancillary facilities, local municipalities have little control over mining operations and their potential impact. The officials said, however, that other ministries such as the MNR and MOE have a role in the review of mining operations as they might affect sensitive wetlands, waterways, water sources and other aspects. Additionally, because the issues have only recently surfaced, there is little supporting policy or case law covering many areas, even though the mining legislation has been in existence for more than a century.
Gashinski and Denomme emphasized that the ministry needs the public to bring issues to their attention. Thus they urged the attendees to propose changes to the legislation or policies that would address the issues.
To many attendees the recent actions by ministry officials and their willingness to consider changes to the Mining Act were extremely encouraging and positive developments.
