Quarry permits and leases provide the exclusive right to extract quarry materials from a specified area. In contrast, a Quarry Materials Exploration Licence (QMEL) grants the exclusive right to explore for quarry materials and, within the licensed area, apply for a quarry permit or lease if a viable resource is identified.
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.
To conduct exploration activities, proponents must obtain:
- A Quarry Materials Exploration Licence (QMEL); and
- Exploration Approval authorizing the proposed exploration work.
Upon completion of the exploration program, the licence holder must submit a work report for review and approval. The report must include:
- a summary of the exploration activities completed;
- a record of expenditures incurred;
- the results of the exploration program; and
- any interpretations, conclusions, or recommendations arising from the work.
Apply for Quarry Material Exploration License
- Applications for a Quarry Material Exploration License are not completed through the Quarry Management System Portal. You must complete a digital Application Form.
- Submit completed applications forms to QuarryApp@gov.nl.ca
- An application for an exploration licence must be accompanied by an application for exploration approval detailing the proposed exploration program. An exploration licence:
- can be a maximum of 5,000 hectares in size.
- is required to explore for or assess the quality of specific quarry materials
- conveys the exclusive right to apply for a quarry permit for the specific quarry materials within the area for which the license is issued. Exceptions apply.
- can be issued for up to 4 months if the aggregate is to be used within the province
- can be issued for up to 12 months for certain long term or large-scale operations
- 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).
- requires an exploration approval permit before the start of exploration and assessment work. Details of the exploration approval permit are presented below
- requires a minimum work spend of $5.00 per hectare (based on total size of exploration license)
- requires a work report to be submitted upon expiry of the exploration license. Details of the work report’s requirements are presented below
Apply for Quarry Exploration Approval
- An application for Quarry Materials Exploration Approval is required for any exploration work that will require ATV, excavator or other heavy equipment creating or travelling along access roads, and for test pitting or sampling.
- An exploration approval must be issued before the start of exploration and assessment work that results in ground disturbance.
- If the exploration program will not result in any ground disturbance (e.g., prospecting and mapping) you must notify the Department by submitting a Notification of Planned Work Form.
- Submit forms relating to exploration approval to QuarryApp@gov.nl.ca
- Applications for Quarry Materials Exploration Approval undergo a referral process similar to quarry permits. It is important that you submit your application for exploration approval a minimum of 30 days before the planned start of your exploration program.
- Exploration for Quarry Materials must abide by Environmental Guidelines for Mineral and Quarry Materials Exploration.
Submit Annual Work Report
- A work report must be submitted upon expiry of the exploration license.
- The work report must detail all aspects of the exploration and assessment work, including but not limited to:
- logistics of the work completed
- results of the work
- interpretations of the work
- conclusions drawn based on the results received
- cost of the work undertaken
- appropriately scaled maps
- be submitted as a complete pdf document
- appendices with maps, sections or spreadsheets may be attached separately
- Note that a minimum work spend of $5.00 per hectare (based total size of exploration license) is required.
- Work reports must be submitted to Quarries@gov.nl.ca