NOTICE TO THE EXPLORATION INDUSTRY


Produced by:
Ontario Ministry of Labour


PROSPECTING AND SHAFT DEWATERING

Three Ontario prospectors died in 1992 while pumping water out of 
abandoned mine shafts.  These deaths were investigated and the 
findings incorporated into the amended Regulations for Mines and 
Mining Plants (R.R.O. 854/90), which became effective on December 
16, 1994.

In all, 13 amendments to the regulations came into effect on that 
date.  They were developed by the bipartite Mining Legislative 
Review Committee with input from the Ministry of Labour and the 
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.  The regulation 
containing these amendments (O. Reg. 779/94) was published in The 
Ontario Gazette on December 31, 1994.

The Regulations for Mines and Mining Plants (R.R.O. 854/90, 
section 23(I)) now require that before dewatering, exploring or 
resuming work at an underground mine that has been permanently 
shut down or abandoned or where operations have been discontinued 
or suspended for more than three months, the owner must:

-  notify a director of the Ministry of Labour,, and 
-  provide the director with such drawings, plans and 
   descriptions of procedures as may be necessary to determine 
   whether the mine is safe to enter. 

The owner is the person who is the registered claim holder, the 
holder of the mining lease or the owner of the mining property.

NOTIFICATION OF SURFACE DIAMOND DRILLING

The Regulations for Mines and Mining Plants require that before 
diamond drilling on surface at an exploration site or mine for 
the purpose of proving mineral bearing substance, it is the 
owner's responsibility to notify a director of the Ministry of 
Labour (R.R.O. 854/90, section 5(3)(d)).  The owner is the person 
who is the registered claim holder, the holder of the mining 
lease or the owner of the mining property.

This notice is for your guidance only.  Please refer to the 
Regulations for Mines and Mining Plants (R.R.O. 854/90 as amended 
by O.Reg. 779/94).  For a copy or for information about notifying 
a director or other questions, please contact your nearest 
Ministry of Labour office or the office of the Provincial 
Co-ordinator, Mining Health and Safety Program at (705) 670-5695.