Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity
Applicants are invited to submit applications for the Mineral Development Advisor Stream under Aboriginal Participation Fund.
Objectives
- The 2009 amendments to Ontario’s Mining Act (the Act) introduced regulatory requirements for exploration plans and permits at the early mineral exploration stage of the mineral development sequence. These requirements include providing formal notice to, and consulting with, communities whose Aboriginal and/or treaty rights may be adversely affected by proposed mineral exploration activities.
- The Mineral Development Advisor (MDA) position provides eligible Aboriginal communities and organizations, such as tribal councils, with additional resources and support to participate effectively in these regulatory consultation processes, including the review of exploration plan and permit applications, closure plans and closure plan amendments, and environmental assessments.
- Funding under this stream also helps increase community knowledge and understanding of the mineral development sequence, which includes mineral exploration, development and mining activities, and the associated economic benefits. This increased awareness and knowledge will enable greater participation in economic development activities that may arise, as well as support recommendations to leadership on decisions related to mineral sector activities.
Funding Information
- The ministry will consider funding up to a maximum of $130,000 per year, up to a threeyear term.
- Applicants are encouraged, wherever possible, to work together to maximize the benefits of available funding.
Eligibility Criteria
- Ontario Aboriginal communities or organizations experiencing high mineral exploration and/or development activity can apply. Communities must have received 10 or more exploration plans and/or permit applications in the previous fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) to be eligible for funding.
- Single Applicants: Indigenous communities in areas of high mineral exploration and/or development activity
- Joint Applicants: Aboriginal communities and organizations (e.g., tribal councils) in areas of high mineral exploration and/or development activity. Joint applicants must have the support of the communities they represent and a substantiated record of representing member communities on local lands and resources issues. Eligible joint applicants include:
- Two or more eligible communities, applying jointly with combined exploration activities
- In specific circumstances, and at the discretion of the ministry, other Aboriginal organizations, such as a Provincial-Territorial Organization (PTO), if they have the support of the communities they represent
For more information, visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/available-funding-opportunities-ontario-government#mineral%20development
