JOHN’S, N.L. — The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is introducing a new act to manage and regulate the development and extraction of quarry resources.
The new act will replace the Quarry Materials Act, 1998, adding changes to make the legislation fair and sustainable, according to Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology Andrew Parsons.
Quarry resources are a crucial component used in construction of public and private infrastructure, Parsons said in a release.
“This new proposed Act would ensure efficient, transparent and fair management of provincial quarries. These amendments, if passed, will support the development of quarry resources in a manner that is responsible, sustainable and competitive, with a regulatory framework that is more consistent with other jurisdictions,” he said.
The government says the new act will redefine and add key components to enhance short- and long-term management of quarry resources. Changes include:
- Redefining quarry resources to clarify the distinction between minerals and quarry resources, while adding dimension stone and gemstone to the definition and removing peat;
- Implementing a new tenure system for quarries by creating a two-year, non-renewable wayside permit and two classes of leases for longer-term operations;
- Requiring holders of exploration licences, wayside permits and leases to rehabilitate a site in accordance with the rehabilitation standards prescribed in the regulations; and
- Enhancing the compliance monitoring and enforcement of quarry operations.
The new legislation is based, in part, on an April 2021 report resulting from feedback from public consultations. The full report can be read here.
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