The Ontario Prospectors Association web site is undergoing a major redevelopment to improve the user experience of the web site and to make important information easier to access. With the new format, recent news will be posted on the main page and move to an archive area after approximately three months. Upcoming events will be listed in the new events box with links to pages dedicated to each event. Events will also be archived in a similar fashion. This update will also reduce the loading time for the site especially for users with slower internet connections. If you have any suggestions or comments about the new design please email the webmaster at the link at the bottom of the page. Thank you.
Potential changes to how claim staking and mineral exploration would be conducted on property where the mining rights and surface rights are held separately Posted Aug 2007In March 2006, the government released Ontario's Mineral Development Strategy to reinforce the province's
international position as a leading mining jurisdiction and foster responsible mineral development for the
benefit of all citizens of Ontario. Ontario's Mineral Development Strategy contains action items....
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see also: A Guide for Private Landowners Working With Ontario's
Mineral Exploration Community
As urban areas expand and rural areas are becoming more developed, prospecting and staking on land with
privately owned surface rights has become a focus of attention. There are requirements in the Mining Act
governing claim staking and exploration. In addition, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines recommends
the following best practices to foster...
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Many people in exploration and the mining industry are aware of Free Gold, the story of
Canadian mining to 1946 by Arnold Hoffman. Now follows the sequel, published under the auspices of the Prospectors and
Developers Association of Canada, with the proceeds going to Mining Matters, the Association's charitable
education group....
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The OPA has been asked to assist with providing its members a chance to comment on the attached project.
Please take the time to respond.
Click here for the Project Document (PDF)
More information on the Superior Aggregates project
Please take a moment to review this posting titled: Potential changes to how claim staking and mineral exploration would be conducted on property where the mining rights and surface rights are held separately.
A Guide for Private Landowners Working with Ontario's Mineral Exploration Community August 2007Please take a moment to review this brochure /pamphlet.
A Good Practices Guide for Staking and Exploration When Working With Private Surface Rights Owners August 2007Please take a moment to review this brochure/ pamphlet.
New book by Michael Barnes, C.M. August 2007A new book by Michael Barnes, C.M., author of eleven other industry related books More Than Free Gold - Mineral Exploration in Canada since WW II"
2006 OEGS Opening Address By Vivienne Coté, Dec.12.2006Good day and welcome to Sudbury and the 2006 OEGS. Welcome to Deputy Minister Susan Herbert. Thanks to Susan Warren and Garry Clark and all the volunteers who have helped along the way.
What a great year the explorationists in Ontario are enjoying. The data generated by past geoscience initiatives
has stimulated exploration and provided new targets for prospectors and mineral investors. In all parts of the province
there are new discoveries and continued expansion of showings. Claim staking has reached record breaking numbers, and
prospectors, geologists, and line cutters are in demand. In fact anyone having related skills should be able to find
employment. Being a northerner I know how important it is to have hundreds of millions of dollars injected into local
economies throughout the north. Presently a new co-operative project, the Atikokan Mineral Development Initiative is
being planned to gather geoscience data which will spur exploration in the Atikokan area. It looks as if the 2006-2007
exploration season is going to be the busiest ever.
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Our theme this year is Open Minds, Open Mines. Every year new techniques and new ideas lead to the discovery of mineral deposits. The availability of data on the internet ranging from Sedar and company websites to the MNDM's geoportal and claim maps brings international attention to Ontario's potential mineral wealth. Over the past few years Ontario Juniors have been using the London and Frankfurt exchanges thereby increasing the international scope of mineral exploration plays. The internet has opened our minds to a wealth of information and continues to play an enormous roll in opening mines. Thanks to the many industry and government scientists who all help to make this happen.
The process beginning initial exploration is very often played out around a negotiating table which again involves open minds. Some of the greatest challenges the exploration industry faces are educating the public and environmental groups about the best practices.
Concern about Caribou and the destruction of the boreal forest has become the theme for environmental groups to stop exploration in Northern Ontario. One only has to look at the Nunavut diamond plays to realize that there has been minimal impact on the environment and that the economy in the region has had a tremendous boost. Exploration activities have also created issues on some Traditional Lands across Ontario. Consulting with the First Nations Groups is as we all know an integral step in transparent discussion regarding mineral development. Open and honest dialogue on both sides of the table is essential.
I need not remind you that we are not miners but prospectors. We must emphasize our role as explorationists in the mining cycle and strive to clear up any misunderstandings held by the general public. One of the tasks of the Ontario Prospectors Association is to open minds and our efforts will open the new mines of the future.
I know that the presenters at this symposium are all doing their best to open your minds and keep you abreast of what is happening around Ontario. I invite you to attend the talks and view the posters and visit the booths. I hope to see you at dinner this evening. The Deputy Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Susan Herbert will be in attendance. Our guest speaker is Mr. Joe Church whose speech is entitled "75 Years of INCO Exploration".
Thank you.
Please take a moment to review this letter regarding exploratory drilling adjacent to provincial highways.
Gregg Stott receives Provincial Geologist's Medal for 2006
Posted Aug 2006Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci announced this week that Greg Stott, a geologist with the Ontario
Geological Survey (OGS), is this year's recipient of the Provincial Geologist's Medal. The citation was presented this week
during the annual Canadian Mines and Energy Ministers meeting in the city of Whitehorse.
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