Non-urgent government operations are closed December 24 to January 1, reopening January 2. See the list of services available during this time.
Placer mining tool kit
Refer to this tool kit to produce gold and other Crown-owned placer minerals from Alberta’s rivers and streams using a sluicebox or other mechanized equipment.
Table 1.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Summary of Requirements | Going for Gold in Alberta: A Guide to Recreational Panning and Placer Mining |
| Acts and Regulations | List of Minerals acts and regulations |
| Information Letters and Bulletins | Information letters Coal and mineral development information bulletins |
| Forms | Application Form: Placer Minerals Licence |
| Maps | Interactive energy maps Mineral disposition information is available through an interactive mapping program. The Metallic and Industrial Minerals map allows you to query by agreement number, search by land description, and print/download maps. All information such as new applications are uploaded to the map overnight. A geoview over manual can be found in the maps help section. Water body maps The Alberta government maps to identify water bodies where placer operations are permitted year-round (Class C and D water bodies) or only from May 15 to September 15 (Class A and B water bodies). Some restrictions apply. Water advisories and warnings map – Alberta River Basins Alberta government interactive rivers map. To select advisories, use the menu box in the upper left corner of the site. |
Activities
Table 1.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Recreation on public land - Off-Highway Vehicles | Public land use |
| Apply for a Placer Mining Licence | Placer miners are encouraged to submit placer minerals licence applications by mail. Payment can be made by cheque or money order, payable to the Government of Alberta. It is not recommended to send cash payment by mail. The fee is $50 plus GST for a 5-year licence, payable to the Government of Alberta. In order to provide efficient placer mining authorization, a 30-day temporary placer mining licence will be issued. This can be used until the full licence is received in the mail. To receive a temporary licence, please send a copy of your completed application to [email protected]. The 30-day temporary licence will be issued by email while the mailed application and payment is being processed. |
| Find out When and Where You May Go | Check the regulation (Schedule 1). Check with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas for water advisories and warnings. Obtain permission from landowner or occupant to pass through occupied land. |
| Sluice for Gold and other Precious Minerals | Maximum 14 days in 1 place. Leave an appropriate distance between operators. Recreational gold panning in Alberta’s rivers and streams using hand-held, non-mechanized equipment does not require a mineral agreement or licence. Placer mining in Alberta’s rivers and streams, using a sluice box or other mechanized equipment, requires a Placer Minerals Licence. Placer mining of Crown-owned placer minerals in other locations, such as from sand and gravel pits, requires a Secondary Mineral Lease. Placer mining in rivers and streams using dredging techniques is prohibited in Alberta. |
| A Lucky Strike? | You pay royalty if more than 1 troy ounce of precious metals is produced and sold in a year. Contact the CMD Unit for more information on how to submit your royalty report and payment. You may wish to apply for a Rock-hosted Minerals Permit to explore or prospect in the area. See the Minerals exploration tool kit or Minerals prospecting tool kit. |
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]
In person
Before coming to our office, first contact us to ensure someone is available to assist you.
Edmonton
Address:
Alberta Energy and Minerals
Coal and Mineral Development Unit
North Petroleum Plaza
9945 108 Street *
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2G6
* Couriers report to the 2nd floor.
Calgary (drop-off location only)
Address:
Alberta Energy and Minerals
300, 801 6 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 3W2