Compass Minerals Canada Corporation - Unpatented mining claim, Licence of Occupation, lease or patent of mining lands or mining rights

The Ministry of Energy and Mines is considering the applicant’s request to issue a mining lease because geological anomalies discovered in the northwest sector of mining lease 110134 has caused the applicant to pursue an alternative mine plan through the development of east-west mining panels south and west of the anomaly. A new salt development area will optimize salt extraction and allow the applicant to continue mine development elsewhere while they adequately define and assess the geology and geometry of the salt deposit within their existing mining lease.

The proposed new salt development area was designed, sized and developed with a focus on long-term operation and preservation that incorporates sound rock mechanics principles, which will optimize mining panels for long-term stability. A subsidence assessment study has been completed along with a proposed life of mine plan that assesses the impacts to the land at surface, the adjacent mine workings, the shafts, and the overall stability of the mine. The study identified relatively low subsidence rates throughout the life of mine that would result in noticeable subsidence in the vicinity of the town of Goderich. The new salt development area is integral to the overall mining operations of the Goderich Salt Mine which is expected to operate until 2094.

Ontario’s rock salt is produced from lands that are not open to conventional acquisition through the registration of a mining claim, therefore due to the unique nature of salt extraction, Crown mining leases issued under the authority of the Lieutenant Governor in Council allows the Minister of Energy and Mines to establish special provisions in the lease that may differ from other mining leases issued under s. 81 of the Mining Act, which can include the payment of royalties and conditions for future renewals.

Due to the current underground mining operation and given that the proposed mining lease is adjacent to the applicant’s existing mining lease 110134, a new lease has low to moderate environmental impacts being an administrative requirement to hold proper tenure for a new salt development area. In addition, activities on the mining lease are subject to other regulatory authorizations and requirements that govern environmental impacts.

The proposed issuance of a mining lease, subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, is an instrument for the purposes of the Environmental Bill of Rights; this posting relates to the proposal to issue that instrument.

The issuance of a mining lease under subsection 176(3) of the Mining Act has been classified as a Category B project under the Class Environmental Assessment for MEM Activities under the Mining Act (Class EA); as required by the Class EA, so this posting is also an opportunity to provide input on a Category B project. Please see the Class EA Notice of Opportunity to Provide Input.

For both purposes, you are invited to comment on the request to issue a mining lease.