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Document ID ca-bc-wumesspmuwsa-2018-12 Title Water Use for Mineral Exploration and Small Scale Placer Mining under the Water Sustainability Act URL https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/water/laws-rules/info_update_mineral_exploration_and_small_scale_placer.pdf Jurisdiction /ca/bc Subdomain(s) Industrial water, Groundwater, Surface water Language en Status completed Analyzed at 2026-03-15 07:15:06.662029+00:00 Relevance Outlines regulatory requirements and exemptions for water use in mining activities.

Q Qualitative Requirements (13)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Context Conditions Confidence
#Q001administrativeoperationalmandatoryMines Act Permit RequirementotherThe person must hold a permit under section 10 of the Mines Act in relation to the placer mining activity or mineral exploration activity;Applicable for the 2019 calendar year section 6 allowance under the Water Sustainability Regulation.high
#Q002operationaloperationalmandatoryUnrecorded Water Diversion RestrictionotherThe person may only divert unrecorded water;Applicable under the section 6 allowance.high
#Q003prohibitionunknownmandatoryProhibited Diversion SourcesotherThe person must not divert or use unrecorded water from: a stream where there is a treaty water reservation or the Nisga'a water reservation; a sensitive stream designated under section 17, and listed in Schedule B, of the Water Sustainability Regulation; a point of diversion within a protected area, as defined in section 46 of the Regulation; or, a stream when a temporary protection order under the Act applies;Applicable under the section 6 allowance.high
#Q004prohibitionoperationalmandatoryProhibition of Permanent WorksotherThe person must not construct any permanent or semi-permanent works in the stream channel and must remove the works for diverting water from the stream after the placer mining activity or mineral exploration activity is completed;Applicable under the section 6 allowance.high
#Q005designoperationalmandatoryWater Supply Intake Screening Requirementaquatic life, otherThe water supply intake must be equipped with a screen, or otherwise modified, to: prevent potential loss of fish due to entrainment or impingement; and, minimize disturbance of, or removal of sand and gravel from, the stream channel;Applicable under the section 6 allowance.high
#Q006operationaloperationalmandatoryMinimization of Stream Channel DisturbanceotherThe person must ensure that any disturbance of the stream channel and riparian areas are minimized when accessing water from the stream;Applicable under the section 6 allowance.high
#Q007operationaloperationalmandatorySafe Discharge RequirementotherThe person must ensure that any water that is diverted is discharged without causing a significant risk of harm to public safety, the environment, land or other property;Applicable under the section 6 allowance.high
#Q008operationaloperationalmandatoryProtection of Lawful Water WorksotherThe person must ensure that the water supply and works of persons who are lawfully diverting or using water under the Act are not adversely affected;Applicable under the section 6 allowance.high
#Q009operationaloperationalmandatoryAquatic Ecosystem Protectionaquatic life, otherThe person must ensure that the diversion or use of water does not cause a risk of significant harm to fish, wildlife or the aquatic ecosystem of a stream.Applicable under the section 6 allowance.high
#Q010administrativeoperationalmandatoryApplication Requirement for Existing Groundwater UsersotherThese previously existing groundwater users are required to submit an application for that use by March 1, 2019 in order to continue using water beyond that date.Applies to groundwater users that were beneficially using water when the Act came into force on February 29, 2016 and continue to use groundwater from the same aquifer.high
#Q011administrativeoperationalmandatoryWater Licence or Use Approval ApplicationotherIf your water use is beyond prospecting for a mineral, or does not meet the requirements of the 2019 section 6 allowance, you will need to apply for a water licence or use approval under the Water Sustainability Act.Applies to water uses beyond prospecting for a mineral, or that do not meet the 2019 section 6 allowance requirements.high
#Q012administrativereportingmandatoryWater Licence Application Filing and FeesotherApplications are filed through FrontCounter BC and require the payment of associated fees and rentals.Applicable when a water licence or use approval is required beyond prospecting for a mineral or the 2019 section 6 allowance.high
#Q013administrativereportingguidanceWater Licence Application Purpose SpecificationotherThe purpose stated in your water licence or use approval application would be: 'placer mining'; or, in the case of mineral exploration drilling, 'industrial cooling'.Applicable when filling out a water licence or use approval application.high

P Quantitative Requirements (2)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Limit Type Limit Value Context Conditions Confidence
#P001operationaloperationalmandatoryprocessing of pay dirtotherrequirement< 2000 m 3 per year'Placer mining activities' include the exploration, development and production of a placer mineral which involves the processing of less than 2 000 m 3 pay dirt per year.Requirement to be classified as 'placer mining activities' for exemption under the Water Sustainability Regulation.high
#P002operationalreportingmandatoryGroundwater transition periodotherrequirement3 yearsThe Water Sustainability Act and the regulations provide a 3-year transition period for groundwater users that were beneficially using water when the Act came into force on February 29, 2016 and continue to use groundwater from the same aquifer.Users are required to submit an application for that use by March 1, 2019 in order to continue using water beyond that date.high

D Definitions (0)

No definitions.