Quebec’s Bacon seeks law to set environmental rules

The province of Quebec may soon have a law governing the environmental impact of mining activity. Lise Bacon, the province’s deputy premier and minister of energy and resources, told the annual convention of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada in Toronto she will be tabling legislation before the National Assembly to require owners of mineral rights to plan site restoration work from the start of their mining operations.

The property owners will also have to set aside the necessary funds for this work, said Bacon, who was the featured speaker at the convention’s awards banquet.

“These requirements will also apply to advanced exploration projects so as to reduce the risk of disruptions to the environment continuing for many years after operations have ceased,” she said.

The proposed legislation will also introduce the concept of a territory reserved for non-exclusive purposes of conservation, recreation or tourism.

“With this new proposal, the government hopes to reduce the portion of land withdrawn from staking while ensuring greater control over mining in these territories,” Bacon said.