Minerals Frequently Asked Questions

A Metallic and Industrial Mineral Licence is required to sluice for gold in Alberta rivers and streams. The license costs $50, is valid for five years and allows an operator to work any one location for a maximum of 14 days at a time.  Depending upon the circumstances, a Metallic and Industrial Mineral Lease is required to produce provincially owned gold and other placer minerals from sand and gravel deposits.
More information;

• Placer mining tool kit
• Going for Gold
• Exploring for Minerals in Alberta
• Prospecting Toolkit

 

Yes, the Metallic and Industrial Minerals Regulation and the Metallic and Industrial Minerals Royalty Regulation govern placer mining.
More information;

• Going for Gold
• Placer Mining Toolkit

 

Limited prospecting is permitted in Alberta without staking claims or obtaining a mineral agreement. Staking is recommended for those who want exclusive rights to explore on a particular piece of land for metallic and industrial minerals owned by the Province. Alberta uses an application for agreement process rather than physical claim-staking to secure these Crown mineral rights for exploration. For more information, refer to Exploring for Minerals in Alberta.

 

Environmental management is an important part of developing, running and closing down a mine. Mining companies develop and carry out plans to minimize impacts on air, land, water and wildlife. Companies use a variety of techniques to reclaim mined lands. 

Depending on the type of mineral, mining activities and reclamation are subject to review and approval through Alberta Environment & Water, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB).