Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (SOR/2002-222).

The present Regulations enforce section 36 of the Fisheries Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. F-14). In particular, they regulate the deposit of mine tailings and other waste matter produced during mining operations into natural fish bearing waters. These Regulations, administered by Environment Canada, are for both new and existing mines. If a developer proposes to use a natural fish bearing water body for tailings management, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) ensures that a thorough environmental assessment is done to determine the impacts. There is public consultation related to the potential use of the water body, and DFO approves a fish habitat compensation plan to ensure no net loss of fish habitat results from the use of this water body. The text consists of 42 sections divided into 6 Parts as follows: General (1); Conditions governing authority to deposit (2); Deposits out of the normal course of events (3); Recognized closed mines (4); Transitional authorizations (5); Repeals and coming into force (6). Eight Schedules are enclosed.