Quebec’s Bill 63 introduces sweeping reforms to the Mining Act, aiming to modernize how mineral rights are granted and managed. Among the changes, the term “claim” is replaced with “Exclusive Exploration Right” (EER), which embeds stricter renewal conditions requiring holders to complete most planned work before extensions. The bill also empowers the minister to impose conditions on EERs and mining leases for land-use reconciliation, environmental protection, and Indigenous community needs.
In the arena of Indigenous engagement, Bill 63 expands the province’s ability to enter agreements with Indigenous communities about land boundaries and mining exclusions. It mandates holders to provide annual work plans to affected Indigenous nations, and enables the government to reserve or withdraw lands from prospecting. On the environmental front, the bill broadens what requires a formal impact assessment—covering new mines, expansions over 50%, or increased daily extraction capacity—while embedding stronger terms around rehabilitation and “harm caused to the environment.”
Bill 63 further limits mining access on private domain land and within urbanised perimeters, aligning resource development with broader societal and environmental values. Collectively, these reforms mark a major shift in Quebec’s mining regime toward greater accountability, transparency, and community involvement.