Ministry of Mines - Minister's directions to ministry employees and agents to rehabilitate a mine hazard in an emergency

Instrument type: Minister's directions to ministry employees and agents to rehabilitate a mine hazard in an emergency

ERO number
019-6655
Notice type
Instrument
Act
Mining Act, R.S.O. 1990
Posted by
Ministry of Mines
Notice stage
Exception
Exception posted
Last updated

This notice is about a decision that was not subject to the normal consultation process. Learn more about the types of notices on the Environmental Registry of Ontario.

Exception summary

Minister's Directions were issued under section 148 (3) (4) (5) of the Mining Act in 2019 and 2020, to employees and agents of the Ministry of Mines to prevent access to mine hazards by installing a fence and backfilling openings. The rehabilitation measures were completed on November 2, 2020.

Location details

Site location details

The former Silver Mountain Mine is located approximately 60 kilometres southwest of Thunder Bay and 10 km southwest of Nolalu in Lybster Township, Thunder Bay District.

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The location pin reflects the approximate area where environmental activity is taking place.

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Proponent details

Ministry of Mines
933 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, ON
P3E 6B5
Canada

Why consultation isn't required

Under Section 29 (1) of the Environmental Bill of Rights, the Minister may decide not to give notice of a proposal under Section 15, 16, or 22, where, in the Minister’s opinion, the delay involved in giving notice to the public, in allowing time for public response to the notice or in considering the response to the notice would result in:

  • danger to the health or safety of any person;
  • harm or serious risk of harm to the environment; or;
  • injury or damage or serious risk of injury or damage to any property.

No Appeal exists on the Ministry’s decision pertaining to the instrument.

Exception details

The instrument is a proposal under Section 12 (20) of O. Reg. 681/94, a proposal to issue a direction under subsection 148 (5) of the Mining Act.

Pursuant to subsections 148 (3), (4) and (5) of the Mining Act, the Minister of Mines (the Minister) may direct the employees and agents of the Ministry of Mines to do everything practicable, or to do such work and take such action as may be specified in the directions, in respect of the prevention, elimination and amelioration of the adverse effect where the Minister has reasonable grounds for believing that a mine hazard is causing or is likely to cause an immediate and dangerous adverse effect.

Pursuant to subsection 148 (4) (b) of the Mining Act, the Minister may order such work when he or she is of the opinion that the proponent will not carry out promptly the work required to prevent, eliminate and ameliorate the adverse effect.

The former Silver Mountain West (AMIS 08557), Silver Mountain East (AMIS 08566), Crown Point (AMIS 08451) and Dawson Lodes (AMIS 08469) mines are located approximately 60 kilometres southwest of Thunder Bay. The Silver Mountain Mine consists of several open edits, shafts and areas of crown pillar failure. Given the site conditions at the Silver Mountain Mine posed an imminent risk to public safety, Minister’s Directions were issued to prevent, eliminate and ameliorate the adverse effect.

Supporting materials

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Mine Rehabilitation
Address

933 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, ON
P3E 6B5
Canada

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