Alberta introduces legislation to streamline, regulate development of minerals

Alberta is introducing legislation the province says will allow it to better compete in the developing global minerals market.

The bill aims to streamline approvals and oversight for minerals and mineral products that are in increasing demand for products, including cellphones and energy storage cells for electric cars.

Today, I was pleased to release Alberta’s Mineral Strategy and Action Plan along with the tabling of Bill 82: the Mineral Resource Development Act.

Find out more at https://t.co/UwHyyuSg5R pic.twitter.com/o6ms2Njk7c

— Hon. Sonya Savage, KC (@sonyasavage) November 4, 2021

Energy Minister Sonya Savage says the minerals — including lithium, uranium, vanadium, potash and diamonds — are critical to supporting clean energy technologies.

The bill proposes that the Alberta Energy Regulator would oversee the development of metallic and industrial minerals.

It would also ensure that was done in an environmentally responsible way.

Alberta’s non-energy mineral production currently comes from about 20 quarries producing salt, silica, sand and limestone.

Following the announcement from Savage, NDP Critic for Red Tape Reduction Chris Nielsen said, “the top priority of this UCP government should be cutting the red tape that is keeping COVID-19 emergency financial support out of the hands of small businesses.

“We’ve been hearing from hundreds of business owners who are struggling to survive and have been waiting for payments for months.”

“Given the UCP’s terrible handling of the health care system and the pandemic, and their lack of transparency, the health minister must immediately confirm that amendments in the Health Insurance Premiums Act and the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act will not lead to the introduction of health care premiums.”