NEW LEGISLATION SAFEGUARDS ENVIRONMENT AND HELPS INDUSTRY

Saskatchewan will be the first province in Canada to have comprehensive legislation for the return to the Crown of decommissioned mine and mill sites located on Crown land.

The Government moved second reading of The Reclaimed Industrial Sites Act in the provincial Legislature today. The Act establishes a uniform framework for returning Crown land held under surface lease back to the Province when mining activities have been completed. This includes full decommissioning and reclamation of the site to acceptable standards. It also establishes clear custodial and funding responsibility for the long-term monitoring and management.

Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said the legislation continues the Saskatchewan tradition of setting the standard for environmentally responsible economic growth. "The Act addresses clearly expressed public priorities of safeguarding our environment and protecting human health and safety. It also further clarifies the regulatory framework for Saskatchewan's mining industry and provides them with greater certainty. These are things we know industry wants."

Cline said the Act is supported by industry and other stakeholders such as the Northern Saskatchewan Environmental Quality Committee. "The legislation was jointly developed by Industry and Resources, Saskatchewan Environment and Saskatchewan Northern Affairs. The mining industry, environmental groups, northern communities and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission were involved every step of the way. This legislation is not news to them. Rather, it represents a culmination of their efforts."

Key features of the Act include specification of the legal, financial and administrative arrangements whereby the province will accept custodial responsibility for a decommissioned site. It also establishes an Institutional Control Registry to maintain a comprehensive record of all decommissioned and reclaimed sites. The Registry will be administered by Industry and Resources.

The end result is reassurance for the public that there are clear lines of responsibility for a given mine site once the operator is gone, and further clarity for the industry in terms of the obligations an operator must meet once mining is completed.

It is expected the Act will come into force January 1st, 2007. The intervening period will be used to develop associated regulations under the Act and consult with stakeholders on them.

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For More Information, Contact:

Roy Schneider Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-9694