Overview
Decommissioning plans and funds are required for all operating pollutant control facilities. The Minister must approve your decommissioning plan and fund. It also must be reviewed at least every five years.
Benefits
Receiving approval for a decommissioning and reclamation plan and assurance fund allows an owner or operator to reduce potential harm from environmental contamination when establishing a pollutant control facility.
Eligibility
No person shall operate or permanently close a pollutant control facility, mine or mill until:
- A decommissioning and reclamation plan for the mining site has been approved by the Minister;
- A proposal for an assurance fund to ensure the completion of the decommissioning and reclamation for the mining site has been approved by the Minister; and
- The assurance fund has been established to the Minister's satisfaction.
How to Apply
All information should be submitted through Environment Business Services document submission process or through the assigned Environmental Protection Officer.
A person who wishes to obtain an approval of a decommissioning and reclamation plan and an assurance fund shall apply to the Minister in writing.
The application must include:
- A plan that includes a time frame for decommissioning and reclaiming the mining site;
- A description of the proposed methods and procedures of, and time frames for, monitoring the mining site for physical and chemical stability and for detecting spills or the release of pollutants during and after decommissioning and reclamation;
- An estimate of the cost required to carry out the decommissioning and reclamation plan and the cost of monitoring the mining site after the decommissioning and reclamation;
- A proposal for an assurance fund that describes the amount and form;
- A proposal for the management and administration of the assurance fund; and
- A proposal respecting the release of all or portions of the assurance fund during the decommissioning and reclamation of the mining site.