Machine Digging

Getting a Permit

When You Need a Permit

• Machine Digging - digging with an excavator, front-end loader, drag-line, etc.

• Mechanical Wash Plants - washing paydirt using equipment with moving parts driven by mechanical means, including...
  • sluice box or highbanker with mechanically moving parts
  • trommel
  • screening plant
  • jigs

• Mechanically Moving or Sorting dug material using any equipment with moving parts driven by mechanical means

• Using a suction dredge - digging with a stream of water and/or using suction to recover paydirt - even if it is more than ten metres from a creek. Using a suction dredge in a creek is generally against the law. See Suction Dredges for more information.

Getting a Permit

The steps are:

1. doing a Notice of Work (NOW) application
2. being notified that the proposed work is approved and the amount of money required for a reclamation bond
3. putting up money for a reclamation bond
4. receiving a Mines Act Permit

The Notice of Work should be submitted at least two months before the permit is required. You need time to handle any problems. You can't apply for some other permits until you have the reclamation permit.

A "reclamation bond" is money set aside to cover the costs of reclamation in the case where the miner does not adequately reclaim the site (filling pits, contouring the land, spreading saved topsoil, planting grasses or in some cases, trees). The money for a reclamation bond is returned to the miner if the inspectors are satisfied with the reclamation.

In BC, a bank can provide a reclamation bond. Miners living in other provinces can arrange with their bank to use a GIC with a note attached saying that the GIC is payable to the Ministry until the Ministry informs the bank that they no longer have an interest in the GIC. A GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) is used because the money must be "guaranteed" by the bank.

If you acquire a claim that already has disturbed areas, you will only be responsible for any disturbance that is caused while you own the claim.

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