Below are the stages of Early Mineral Exploration broken down by activity, license or permit required and the authority responsible for issuing. The four stages are:
License or pearmit required depending on proposed activity
Manitoba authority responsible for issuing
Register your business name and chosen business structure to obtain a business number.
Registration with the Companies Office.
Companies Office– Manitoba Consumer Protection and Government Services. The Companies Online System will help you complete most business transactions and searches.
Create an individual or business profile on Manitoba’s Integrated Mining and Quarrying System (iMaQs) Note: iMaQs uses AccessManitoba to complete profiles.
iMaQs is the system that allows clients to submit certain applications and manage dispositions online. AccessManitobais a secure online service that provides access to business, employment and training-related government services and information, and allows online payment for select services.
Resource Development – Manitoba Economic Development, Investment and Trade is responsible for iMaQs. Visit the Mines (Regulatory) Web page for more information and tutorials on creating an Individual Profile or a Business Profile on iMaQs.
Intention to search for mineral deposits on open Crown mineral land.
To stake a Claim or conduct mineral exploration in Manitoba, a person or company must have a valid Prospecting Licence. A Prospecting Licence can be acquired through iMaQs. Review the iMaQs Mining Map to confirm areas available for staking.
Prospecting licences are issued through iMaQs Go to iMaQsto apply for a Prospecting Licence
Licencing and Obtaining Mineral Tenure
Activity
License or permit required depending on proposed activity
Manitoba authority responsible for issuing
Staking a Claim on Crown mineral land (Maximum of 256 hectares) for the exclusive right to explore for minerals within the boundaries of the disposition
The Office of the Recorder within Manitoba Economic Development, Investment and Trade & Natural Resources is responsible for recording and maintaining mineral dispositions in the province. Visit the Staking Requirements in Manitoba web page for contact information for the Office of the Recorder in Winnipeg and Flin Flon or email mines_br@gov.mb.ca for information and support.
Obtaining a Mineral Exploration Licence (MEL) for exclusive mineral rights on Crown Land (between 5,000 to 100,000 hectares) to explore for minerals within the boundaries of the disposition. NOTE: MEL applications have a lengthy review process.
Requires a valid Prospecting Licence. Review the iMaQs Mining Map to confirm zone requirements and availability of the area to be covered by the proposed Mineral Exploration Licence. Apply for a Mineral Exploration Licence online viaiMaQs.
The Office of the Recorder within Manitoba Economic Development, Investment and Trade & Natural Resources is responsible for recording and maintaining mineral dispositions in the province. Visit the Staking Requirements in Manitoba web page for contact information for the Office of the Recorder in Winnipeg and Flin Flon or email mines_br@gov.mb.ca for information and support.
Early Mineral Exploration (on Crown lands)
Activity
License or permit required depending on proposed activity
Manitoba authority responsible for issuing
Intention to conduct an Airborne Survey, on Crown Land.
Submit a Notice of Airborne Surveyrequest viaiMaQs. The Director of Mines must be notified in writing within three years of the completion of the Airborne Survey and a report of results must be provided.
No authority is required for airborne surveys unless there is a field staging area planned.
Prospecting, geological mapping, soil sampling, or geochemical sampling using hand tools only. Ground survey work using hand tools only, without the use of a generator. Minor trail clearing by hand using chainsaw only.
Work Permits are not typically issued for these activities. However, a valid Prospecting Licence is required.
Visit the iMaQsWeb page for more information and instructions on how to acquire a Prospecting Licence for an individual or a business.
Access trail construction or reestablishment. Setup temporary camp (a general permit will be required if the camps are to be in place for more than one field season). Drilling. Fuel, material, and equipment caches (a general permit will be required if the cache is to be in place for more than one field season). Exploration activities that have potential to alter or affect Crown Land, including mechanized soil stripping, and Trenching. Timber clearing activities including Line Cutting, and helicopter or drill pad construction. Use of mechanized or heavy equipment. Land-based geophysical exploration. Mechanized soil and till sampling.
Requires a valid Prospecting Licence. Requires valid mineral tenure either by way of Claim, licence, or Lease. Acquire a Crown Land Work Permit by completing a Work Permit for Mineral Exploration Application, accompanied by a detailed work plan and maps, and submit to Permit.Office@gov.mb.ca
Manitoba’s Permit Office is the issuing authority for Early Mineral Exploration work permits. Email Permit.Office@gov.mb.ca for information and support.
Early Mineral Exploration (on Provincial Parks land)
Activity
License or permit required depending on proposed activity
Manitoba authority responsible for issuing
Intention to conduct an Airborne Survey on Provincial Park land.
Submit a Notice of Airborne Surveyrequest viaiMaQs. The Director of Mines must be notified in writing within three years of the completion of the Airborne Survey and a report of results must be provided.
No authority is required for airborne surveys unless there is a field staging area proposed in a Provincial Park, then a Perk Permit is required. Manitoba’s Parks Branch is responsible for issuing a Provincial Parks Permit through the appropriate Park District Office.
Access trail or road construction/reestablishment (NOTE: A Provincial Park Occupancy Permit or Environment Act Licence may also be required) Setup temporary camp (a Provincial Park Occupancy Permit will be required if the camp is to be in place for more than one field season) Drilling. Fuel, material, and equipment caches (a Provincial Park Occupancy Permit will be required if the cache is to be in place for more than one field season) General exploration and Claim Staking, including Prospecting; Trenching; soil stripping; test pits; Blasting; etc. (except for an individual who is Prospecting using only hand tools). Geological mapping. Land-based geophysical exploration. Line-cutting. Soil and till sampling. Timber clearing.
Requires a valid Prospecting Licence. Requires valid mineral tenure either by way of Claim, licence, or Lease. Acquire a Provincial Park Permit by completing a Park Permit application, accompanied by a detailed work plan, and maps. Submit to the Regional Parks Specialist of Parks Branch.