BMP 11 – Land-Based Drilling

Drilling activities are one of the most definitive and common methods conducted during Early Mineral Exploration. Drilling produces cylindrical samples of rock called core. These core samples are taken from below the surface for testing to determine the properties of the soil and rocks, including mineral and metal content.

Drilling locations are targeted using the results from previous exploration activities such as Prospecting, geological mapping, and geophysical surveys which are detailed in BMP 2 – Early Exploration.

If an individual or company intends to conduct exploration activities using equipment other than hand tools, a Work Permit from Manitoba Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resource is required. A Work Permit Application and supporting documents should be submitted to Permit.Office@gov.mb.ca.

Exploration Drilling

Borehole: A hole that is made in the surface of the ground by drilling or boring and that, for the purpose of exploring for minerals or gathering scientific information, penetrates Phanerozoic rock formations situated above Precambrian rock formations, but does not include a well.

Diamond Drilling, which can drill through and extract very hard bedrock, is the most common type of mineral exploration drilling conducted in Manitoba. Diamond drills use a hollow bit whose surface contains industrial grade diamonds that extract core which is stored in specially shaped boxes that allow for physical examination and testing by technicians and geologists. See BMP 13 – Core Storage for further details.

Diamond drills come in a variety of shapes and sizes but are typically the size of a small recreational vehicle. Regardless of type, diamond drills are:

Typically powered by a diesel engine;
Have at least some secondary drive mechanisms that are hydraulic;
Usually transported to the site on a low bed trailer and are moved around the site using a dozer/skidder;
Have a drill pipe or “rod” with a diameter of anywhere from two to five inches; and
Are capable of drilling to 300 metres or more, depending on the size of the drill and drill rod string used.

Drilling (Phanerozoic)

To prevent potential contamination of freshwater aquifers, the Manitoba Mining, Oil & Gas Branch tracks and approves any drilling penetrating Phanerozoic rock. Proponents require a Borehole License, issued by the Director of Mines. A Borehole License is issued for a one-year term and provides the Proponent the right, subject to certain conditions, to drill one or more boreholes within the boundaries of the area specified in the Borehole License. A copy of a licence shall be displayed at a site during drilling operations. A Borehole License can be applied for using Manitoba’s Integrate Mining and Quarrying System (iMaQs). The number of drill holes, locations, and drilling program details must be identified in the application.

Drilling (Precambrian)

A Borehole License is not required to drill in Precambrian terranes, but there are requirements governing the operation and abandonment of holes and sites as described in The Mines and Minerals Act Drilling Regulation, MR 63/92.

If drilling is required on ice-covered waters, see BMP 12 – Lake-Based Drilling for precautionary steps and considerations to protect the environment when drilling on ice.

NOTE: Drilling in the Western Sedimentary Basin requires additional precautions because of the potential of encountering oil and gas concentrations. A Proponent proposing drilling activity in the Western Sedimentary Basin are required to contact the Minerals, Petroleum and Geoscience Division within the Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resource prior to drilling. Where, in the opinion of the Director of Mines, the drilling of a diamond drill hole is likely to create a hazard to an oil, gas, or water-bearing formation or to cause unreasonable injury or damage to the environment, the director may impose conditions upon the drilling of the hole.

A Borehole licensee shall drill and abandon a Borehole in such a manner as to prevent the vertical movement of fluids between permeable water bearing zones (section of rock that produces water, or a zone in which drilling fluid is lost) penetrated by the Borehole.

Where an individual or company drills a diamond drill hole through a body of water overlying Precambrian rock, the person shall, upon completion of drilling and before expiry of the licence, plug the hole to prevent movement of water by:

Grouting the entire hole to ground surface using the Tremie technique (grouting methodology whereby grout is placed in a diamond drill hole or Borehole in such a manner that the hole is filled from the bottom up, ensuring complete filling) to place a neat mixture of sulphate resistant (CSA Type 50) grout that will produce a minimum strength of 41,000 kPa; or
Using a mechanical plug, securely fastened in competent rock, and Treme grouting the hole from the plug to bedrock surface with a minimum depth of 15 metres of grout placed as described in a plan submitted with the Borehole license application, to permanently prevent vertical movement of aquifer fluids between permeable water bearing zones.

A carefully planned and managed drilling program reduces the risk of environmental impacts. Early land use planning is recommended to avoid conflict with sensitive areas.

Water Considerations

No individual or company shall allow waste arising from diamond, percussion, or rotary drilling operations to be discharged or dumped into water located on or off the drill site, or from the site on to adjacent lands.

A minimum of 100 metres should be maintained between a drill pad and any Water Body unless previously authorized by the Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resource. For drilling activities within 100 metres of a Water Body, the Proponent may have to follow additional procedures and considerations outlined in BMP 12 – Lake-Based Drilling.

In Manitoba, water withdrawals (surface and groundwater) of less than 25,000 litres (5,500 imperial gallons) per day generally do not require water rights licensing. However, a proposed drilling program that will utilize more than 25,000 litres per day water requires a Water Rights Licence from the Department of Environment and Climate. To apply for a Water Rights Licence, an application including all required documentation can be submitted using the online Water Licencing Portal. If needed, this video will walk you through how to create a new user account for the Water Licensing Portal. Pumps run 24/7 in the winter generally at 13 imperial gallons per minute.

Water intake hoses should be fitted with screens that meets Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline to prevent the impingement or entrainment of fish during pumping activities. All water-related equipment should be decontaminated prior to use to avoid the spread of invasive species. Manitoba’s Water Protection Handbook also details guidance and practices relevant to water protection.

The licensee is responsible for effective sediment and erosion control at the work site:

All spoil materials should be disposed of above the high-water level and located and stabilized so that they do not re-enter any Water Body;
The licensee is responsible for erosion control on the approaches to ice/snow bridge water crossings all year round. This includes sediment from winter roads entering water bodies during the ice-free seasons; and
If necessary, the licensee should ensure that effective sediment and erosion control measures are in place, functioning properly and are maintained and/or upgraded as required to prevent sediment or deleterious substances from entering fish habitat.

Drill pads proposed within or adjacent to wetlands should be completed when frozen ground conditions are present to prevent Rutting and compaction or use techniques to prevent Rutting, such as access mats or other preventative measures.

Site Considerations

Drill sites (pads)

Where possible, drill sites should use existing clearings. Drill sites should consider and mitigate sensitive wildlife features such as caribou calving areas, snake or bat hibernacula, or rare plant observations. Biological data can be obtained by submitting an information request to the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre to understand any biodiversity (plant and animal) concerns or considerations within the proposed area. See BMP 15 – Wildlife for further details.

Routine maintenance and servicing of mechanical equipment should be avoided, if possible, in the field. Maintenance may be carried out where emergency repairs and scheduled maintenance is required.

Access roads and trails should be built and maintained to prevent undue erosion and Rutting, for further details and requirements, see BMP – 7 Road and Trail Access. Existing road or trail networks may have access restrictions that may need to be re-established upon the completion of drilling activities.

Site preparation and clearing activities should be kept to a minimum and limit site disturbance to that necessary to ensure practical and safe working conditions. Where possible, drill pad sites should use existing clearings. Any new clearing or expansions of existing clearings are to be kept to a minimum size to facilitate the operation, with a maximum drill pad size of 900 square metres (0.09 hectares) unless otherwise approved based on operational and safety needs.

Where possible pump pads should use existing clearings and be kept to a minimum size or to maximum size of 400 square metres (0.04 hectares), unless otherwise approved for safety and operations Pump pads should also be a minimum of 30 meters from a waterbody unless otherwise approved.

When possible, drill sites should be prepared by clearing the trees and then cribbing the drill rig on timbers or lumber (no ground disturbance necessary). See BMP 6 – Timber Clearing Activities for further clearing details and requirements.

If required for future site decommissioning purposes, any slash material is to be stockpiled at the edge of the clearing for later use. See BMP 17 – Decommissioning.

For drill sites that are proposed in areas where the ground is not level, consideration should be given to site relocation or leveling methods other than soil stripping (e.g., blocking, ice pads, etc.). If not possible, soil stripping activities should be minimized to the extent possible. If soil stripping is required, soil horizons should be removed and stored separately at the edge of the clearing. See BMP 10 – Surface Stripping for further details and requirements.

For smaller diameter drill holes, drilling effluent shall be contained in sumps, containers, or natural depressions located as close to the drill site as possible, above the high-water level, and stabilized so that it does not re-enter any Water Body.

Aircraft

The mineral exploration industry commonly relies on aircraft to access remote exploration sites. Various types of fixed wing aircraft and helicopters are used depending on availability and what is most appropriate for the job and can be safely operated. Mineral exploration often requires operating aircraft in a wide variety of remote and challenging conditions.

Implementing training and safe operating procedures (SOPs) are important ways to reduce potential incidents, which are often fatal.

The largest required helicopter determines the required dimensions of the landing site at a project or camp. Always discuss the exact requirements for landing sites with the helicopter contractor so they are fully understood by all parties. Good clearance in all directions is necessary to safely manoeuvre helicopters and slinging loads. Some terrain requires special construction to provide a safe landing spot. Helicopter pad sizes should be kept to a minimum size while still able to maintain safe operations.

Helicopter pads should consider and mitigate sensitive wildlife features such as caribou calving areas, snake or bat hibernacula, or rare plant observations. Biological data can be obtained by submitting an information request to the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre to understand any biodiversity (plant and animal) concerns or considerations within the proposed area. See BMP 15 – Wildlife for further details.

Site preparation and clearing activities should be kept to a minimum and limit site disturbance to that necessary to ensure practical and safe working conditions.

Any new clearing or expansions of existing clearings for helicopter pads are to be kept to a minimum size to facilitate the operation, with a maximum drill and/or helipad pad size of 900 square metres (0.09 hectares), unless otherwise approved based on operational and safety needs. When possible, drill sites should be prepared by clearing the trees and then cribbing the drill rig on timbers or lumber (no ground disturbance necessary). See BMP 6 – Timber Clearing Activities for further clearing details and requirements.

If required for future site decommissioning purposes, any slash material is to be stockpiled at the edge of the clearing for later use. See BMP 16 – Decommissioning.

Drilling considerations

A Proponent should identify any drilling additives that will be used in an exploration program within a Work Permit Application.

All fuel and lubricants at a drill site must be stored in a manner that provides spill control or secondary containment to prevent spillage, as set out in BMP 3 – Storage and Handling of Petroleum Products and Allied Products.

Routine maintenance and servicing of mechanical equipment should be avoided, if possible, in the field. Maintenance may be carried out where emergency repairs and scheduled maintenance is required.

During drilling activities, noise abatement devices including mufflers and shrouding should be used near populated areas or areas with known Wildlife Sensitivities.

Wherever possible, biodegradable mud and non-toxic additives should be used and accompanied by a Safety Data Sheet. An adequate closed-circuit system must be utilized for potentially harmful drilling mud and other additives.

For any drill mud, solids, or cuttings with a concentration of uranium, please refer to Health Canada’s Canadian Guidelines for the Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials to determine handling, transportation and disposal requirements for the naturally occurring radioactive material.

Considerations following drilling activities

Upon completion of the program, exposed drill casings shall be cut so that they are 15 cm or less above ground level at the conclusion of operations, unless otherwise approved. Upon abandonment of a diamond drill hole, the individual or company drilling the hole shall remove or ensure the removal from the site of all waste (e.g.: rubbish, litter and scrap, either liquid or solid, and includes materials and supplies in excess of requirements but excludes drill cuttings, sludge and return fluids) arising from the drilling operation and shall cleanup the area affected by the operation and leave it in a condition satisfactory to the Director of Mines.

Decommissioning of a site should follow procedures outlined in BMP 16 – Decommissioning.

Within 90 days after completion of drilling, a Borehole licensee shall submit to the Director of Mines a detailed log of the portion of each Borehole passing through the Phanerozoic, containing all geological, geophysical, hydrogeological, and geochemical data collected in relation to the Phanerozoic portion and accompanied by a plan showing the location of each Borehole.

Contacts

Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resource

Minerals, Petroleum and Geoscience Division
204-945-1119
Toll free 1-800-223-5215
Mines_br@gov.mb.ca

Department of Environment and Climate

Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Branch
Winnipeg Office
204-945-5305

EnvCEWinnipeg@gov.mb.ca

For areas outside of Winnipeg, see Listing for Regional Office Contacts

Related Acts and Regulations

M162 – The Mines and Minerals Act
MR 63/92 – Drilling Regulation, 1992
C340 – The Crown Lands Act
P20 – Provincial Parks Act
MR 141/96 Park Activities Regulation
F150 – The Forest Act
W130 – The Wildlife Act
E125 – The Environment Act
W80 – The Water Rights Act
M.R. 188/2001 – Storage and Handling of Petroleum Products and Allied Products Regulation
M.R. 439/87 – Environmental Accident Reporting Regulation

Canada:

F-14 – Fisheries Act

Exploration Drilling

Drilling (Phanerozoic)

Drilling (Precambrian)

Water Considerations

Site Considerations

Drill sites (pads)

Aircraft

Drilling considerations

Contacts

Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resource

Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources

Environment Climate and Change

Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resource

Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resource

Environment and Climate Change

Department of Environment and Climate

Related Acts and Regulations

Canada: