Bill 183: Mineral Resources Act (amended)

This amendment primarily affects mining and mineral exploration companies operating in Nova Scotia — from junior exploration outfits running small field crews to larger mining operations. Day-to-day activities like staking claims, drilling, and developing mine sites could face additional scrutiny under climate commitments and heightened Indigenous consultation requirements, including the need for free, prior and informed consent before proceeding on certain lands. Companies will need to build more robust consultation processes into their project planning, which could affect timelines and approvals. The Westray safety principles reinforce existing occupational health and safety expectations for anyone managing workers underground or in hazardous extraction environments.