Review of Minerals Branch Completed

An independent consultant has recommended 24 changes in the organizational structure and function of the Minerals and Energy Branch of the Department of Natural Resources.

The branch review, conducted by Ottawa consultant George Miller, was in response to one of 74 recommendations in the Westray Mine Public Inquiry report released in November.

The key recommendation of the Miller review is that the Mineral Resources Act and Regulations be amended to make exploration licences and mining leases the key instruments to administer mining.

The requirement for a mining permit should be abolished. As a result of these changes, responsibility for mine safety would then lie clearly with the Department of Labour and not with Natural Resources.

In its November report, the Westray Inquiry recommended that the Minerals Branch of the Department of Natural Resources should not act as both promoter and regulator of mineral and energy resources.

An amendment to accommodate the recommendation will be introduced in the provincial legislature.

The Miller report also recommends elimination of the requirement for milling permits; reconsideration of the need for special licences'; an update of branch job descriptions; improved communications with other government departments and creation of operational policy guidelines for all branch staff.

The government has accepted the report's recommendations and implementation will start immediately.