Department of Natural Resources Mineral Lease

Department of Natural Resources

Mineral Lease
Who Needs This Lease?
 

Anyone who wants exclusive rights to specified minerals in Nova Scotia for the term of the lease, subject to payment of royalties and rent and provisions of the lease and Act.

Note: This lease covers the same items as the Mineral Exploration Licence. A mineral lease is not required for Gypsum or non-crown Limestone.

Issuing Department / Agency:
 

N.S. Department of Natural Resources

Where can you get further information?

 

Mineral Development and Policy Section
N.S. Department of Natural Resources

Tel: 902-424-4068

 Office Location:
Founders Square
3rd Floor
1701 Hollis Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3M8

Mailing Address:
 P.O. Box 698
Halifax, NS B3J 2T9
Application Forms & Process:
 

Prospector registration and applications for mineral rights are completed through the mineral rights online registry system (NovaROC). Please visit: novaroc.novascotia.ca.

For a mineral lease, it is advisable that there is discussion with the Mineral Development and Policy Section prior to the application being made.
Waiting Period:
 

Initial application: 55 business days (2.5 months)

Renewal application: 95 business days (4.5 months)

For all minerals excluding: (1) ordinary and building stone, sand, gravel, peat moss, ‘non-Crown’ limestone; and (2) salt, potash, coal and urnium, geothermal.
Expiry & Renewal:
 

These leases are valid for up to 20 years from the date they are issued and can be renewed for a further 20 years or another term agreed upon. The renewal time is when they expire.
Price:  (No tax is charged)
 

Initial Application and Annual Renewal
Lease rentals: $120.00 per claim

Royalty Payments: Royalty payments are subject to section 113 of the Mineral Resources Act; also see Section 81 of Regulations under the Mineral Resources Act

Related Requirements:
 

  1. External:  Proprietorship / Partnership / Syndicated Corporate applicants are to be registered with the N.S. Registry of Joint Stock Companies.

  2. Mineral Exploration: Licence or Mineral Licence: Summary of Agreement (if it exists), N.S. Department of Natural Resources.

  3. Legal survey of the deposit in relation to lease bounds, unless otherwise specified.

  4. All work conducted persuant to this Lease must be done in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Environment Act, and all other pertinent legislation.

Additional Information:
 

None.

Legislative Authority:
 

Mineral Resources Act. 2016, c. 3, s. 1.

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