A Quarry Materials Exploration Licence (QMEL) gives the holder the exclusive right to explore for quarry materials within a specified area and, if a suitable resource is identified, to apply for a quarry permit or lease for that area.
Why Explore for Quarry Materials?
Some projects require materials that meet specific engineering or construction standards, such as concrete sand or high-quality aggregate. In these cases, exploration may be necessary to evaluate the quality, quantity, and long-term availability of the resource before proceeding with quarry development.
Before You Begin Exploration
To conduct exploration activities, proponents must obtain:
- A Quarry Materials Exploration Licence (QMEL); and
- Exploration Approval authorizing the proposed exploration work.
Important: QMEL applications must include an Application for Exploration Approval. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Apply for Quarry Material Exploration Licence
Applications for a Quarry Material Exploration Licence (QMEL) are submitted outside the Quarry Management and Administration Portal. You must complete a digital Application Form.
Licence Requirements
- maximum size of a licence is 5,000 hectares
- may be issued for up to 4 months if the aggregate is to be used as construction aggregate within the province
-
May be issued for up to 12 months for slate, peat, aggregate export projects, and other large-scale or long-term exploration programs.
-
an Exploration Approval must be obtained before any exploration work can begin
-
requires a minimum exploration expenditure of $5.00 per hectare of the licence (e.g., 5,000 ha QMEL has a $25,000 expenditure requirement)
-
requires a work report to be submitted upon expiry of the exploration licence
How to Apply
- Complete the digital Quarry Materials Exploration Licence Application Form.
- Submit an application for Exploration Approval describing the proposed exploration program.
- Submit both application forms to QuarryApp@gov.nl.ca
- requires an application fee of $0.10 per hectare paid prior to issuance. Payment can be made at https://www.gov.nl.ca/onlineservices (scroll down the page to the card titled “Business and Industry” and select the “Quarry Materials Exploration Licence Fee” option).
Apply for Quarry Exploration Approval
- An application for Quarry Materials Exploration Approval is required for any exploration work that involve ground disturbance, including test pitting, sampling, the use of excavators or other heavy equipment, or the construction of access trails.
- If the exploration program will not result in any ground disturbance (e.g., prospecting, mapping, or visual inspections) you must notify the Department by submitting a Notification of Planned Work Form.
- All exploration activities must abide by Environmental Guidelines for Mineral and Quarry Materials Exploration.
- Applications and notifications related to exploration activities must be submitted to QuarryApp@gov.nl.ca
-
Applications are reviewed by other government departments and agencies. Submit your application well in advance of your planned exploration activities to allow time for review and approvals.
Reporting Requirements
- A work report must be submitted no later than the expiry date of the exploration licence.
- The report must detail all aspects of the exploration and assessment work completed and include:
- a description of the work carried out
- the results of the exploration program
- any interpretations, conclusions, or recommendations based on the results,
- a summary of the exploration expenditures
- maps prepared at an appropriate scale
- The work report must be submitted as a single PDF document.
- Supporting materials, such as maps, cross-sections, and spreadsheets, may be submitted as separate appendices.
- A minimum exploration expenditure of $5.00 per hectare is required, based on the total area covered by the licence.
- Completed work reports must be submitted to QuarryApp@gov.nl.ca.