Table of contents

Overview

Requirements for mineral permits and leasing are set under the following:

Agreement and lease information below includes:

  • summary requirements
  • terms of agreements
  • general royalty reporting requirements

Ammonite shell leasing

Agreement application

Apply through our Electronic Transfer System (ETS) for ammonite shell leasing.

Mineral surface lease application

On public land, a mineral surface lease is required granting approval to occupy the location and conduct mining activities. This is in addition to an Ammonite Shell Agreement.

Apply through the Electronic Disposition System or email: [email protected].

Historical resource exemption

Because ammonite shell is a fossil, it is considered a palaeontological resource. An exemption from the Heritage Resource Management Branch is required to recover ammonite shell. For further information go to:

Exploration and prospecting

Metallic and industrial mineral permit application

Apply through our Electronic Transfer System (ETS) for the right to explore for Alberta-owned metallic and industrial minerals in a specific location. A permit is equivalent to a mineral claim in most other Canadian jurisdictions.

Mineral assessment reports

To keep a permit in good standing, a mineral assessment report of exploration results and expenditures must be filed every 2 years. Submit your mineral assessment report to the Coal and Mineral Development Unit on or before the deadline set in the regulations. (see Contact below)

Remember to submit 2 original copies.

For guidance on how to prepare your mineral assessment report:

Exploration licence, permit or approval

See About minerals for process information.

Mining leasing

Metallic and industrial mineral lease

Apply through our Electronic Transfer System (ETS) for Crown mineral rights to develop and produce metallic and industrial minerals.

For Crown surface materials leases and exploration approvals apply through Alberta Environment and Protected Areas.

Mineral surface lease application

On public land, a mineral surface lease is required, granting approval to occupy the location and conduct mining activities. This is in addition to the Metallic and Industrial Mineral Lease.

Apply through the Electronic Disposition System or email: [email protected].

Placer mining

Metallic and industrial mineral licence

To apply for the right to conduct recreational sluicing for gold and other precious minerals in Alberta’s rivers and streams:

Submit application and payment to the Coal and Mineral Development Unit in Edmonton or Calgary (see Contact below). Licences can be issued immediately only if applying in person at the Edmonton office.

Note: The second-floor reception is closed 9 am to 9:15 am, noon to 1 pm and 3 pm to 3:15 pm daily.

If you are here between 9 am and 9:15 am and 3 pm and 3:15 pm, call 780-427-7707 for service.

Metallic and industrial mineral secondary mineral lease

Apply through our Electronic Transfer System (ETS) for Crown mineral rights to develop and produce metallic and industrial minerals as a secondary activity in an approved primary operation such as a sand and gravel operation.

Alternatively, contact Coal and Mineral Development (see Contact below).

Subsurface and surface leasing

Metallic and industrial mineral subsurface reservoir lease

Apply through our Electronic Transfer System (ETS) for the right to create and store within subsurface caverns in salt formations. 

When you apply, specify:

  • location
  • storage zone
  • the substance that will be stored

The AER regulates the drilling of wells and injection into subsurface formations. Apply through the AER or email: [email protected].

Subsurface reservoir lease guideline

Read the guideline for more information:

This guide explains:

  • what Subsurface Reservoir Leases are
  • what they are used for
  • what rights they grant
  • the standard terms and conditions of each lease
  • how to apply

Surface materials lease

Surface materials provide more information including:

  • apply for a Surface Material Lease
  • report production
  • pay royalty on Crown surface materials such as:
    • sand
    • gravel
    • clay
    • peat
    • marl
    • topsoil

Royalties

Alberta collects royalties from production of its minerals. Royalty reporting and payment are required on:

  • production under a metallic and industrial mineral lease
  • substantial production and sale under placer licences

Requirements are set by regulation and stated in legislation. Additional interpretation and instructions are provided in Information Letters and Information Bulletins.

Quarriable minerals production and royalty report

Use this form to report quarterly on production and royalties payable to the Crown and/or to declare and confirm no production for the calendar year. This report is due on or before the last day of the month following the production quarter. The form is required when submitting royalties through Electronic Transfer System (ETS).

For royalty rates and other details, please refer to Minerals Royalty Information.

Placer minerals production and royalty report

Use this form to report on placer mineral sales and royalties for those quarters in which placer mineral sale or disposition occurs. Use it to report annually if no production/sale occurs.

This report is due on or before the last day of the month following the production quarter. The form is required when submitting royalties through ETS.

To learn more, see Minerals Royalty Information.

Find more information:

Salt production and royalty report

Use this form to report quarterly on production and royalties payable to the Crown. It is also used to declare and confirm no production for the calendar year.

This report is due on or before the last day of the month following the production quarter. It is required when submitting royalties through ETS.

For royalty rates and other details, please refer to Minerals Royalty Information.

Metallic mineral royalty reporting

No forms are available for reporting royalties using the revenue-minus-cost royalty regime. This is 1% of mine mouth revenue or 12% of net revenue.

Please contact Coal and Mineral Development (see contact information below).

Preauthorized debit royalty payments

Complete and submit this form if you wish to authorize electronic debit to make royalty payments.

Send the completed form to Financial Services (see last page of form).

Applications received before the 5th-last day of the month will be processed that month. Applications received after that will be processed at the end of the following month.

Transfers

If you are unable to use the ETS, you may use a PDF form instead see the transfers section of online learning to request a change in ownership.

Resources

Contact

Connect with the Coal and Mineral Development Unit:

Hours: 8:15 am to noon and 1 pm to 4 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-7707
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Edmonton

Address:
Alberta Energy
Coal and Mineral Development Unit
North Petroleum Plaza
9945 108 Street *
Edmonton, Alberta  T5K 2G6

* Couriers, please report to the 2nd floor.

Calgary (drop-off location only)

Address:
Alberta Energy
300, 801 6 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta  T2P 3W2

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