Agreement process

These are the steps involved in acquiring permitting and leasing agreements.

Acquiring an agreement

To select lands to include in your application, check the mineral activity maps (see interactive maps) to determine where mineral rights are disposed or unavailable. An individual or company’s application for an agreement identifies the location of interest and must be accompanied by all applicable fees (see below).

Applications and payment can be submitted to Alberta Energy by fax, email or in person. Please submit at either the Coal and Mineral Development Unit office in Edmonton or at the Calgary Information Centre (see Contact below). Required forms and contact information are available on this site.

The department checks the recording and co-ordinating review of each application, as appropriate. If the application is successful, the department prepares and issues the mineral-agreement document.

Maintaining an agreement

Certain routine requirements must be met to continue to hold an agreement. Annual rent must be paid on:

  • Metallic and Industrial Minerals Leases
  • Special Mineral Leases
  • Ammonite Shell Agreements

Regular royalty reporting and payment are required on Metallic and Industrial Minerals Leases. A mineral-assessment report of exploration expenditures and results must be filed every 2 years. This allows the user to continue to hold a Metallic and Industrial Minerals Permit.

Amending an agreement

During the life of the agreement, it may be necessary to change:

  • the area covered by the agreement
  • the owners of the agreement
  • other terms or specifications

An amendment may be initiated by the agreement holder.

Terminating an agreement

An agreement may be terminated for a number of reasons, such as:

  • non-renewal by request when an agreement expires
  • surrender of an agreement at the request of the agreement holder
  • cancellation of the agreement by the department for failure to comply with terms and conditions

To select lands to include in your application, check the mineral activity maps (see Online Services) to determine where mineral rights are disposed or unavailable. An individual or company's application for an agreement identifies the location of interest and must be accompanied by all applicable fees (see below.)

Taking a permit to lease

Exploration results may be positive after 2 or more years of holding a Metallic and Industrial Minerals Permit. When that happens, the designated representative may apply to convert all or part of a permit to a lease. This type of request has the same fees as a lease application.

Application fees

Applications must be accompanied by:

  • fee payment
  • first year’s rent
  • Goods and Services Tax (GST), as applicable
Agreement type Application fee First year of rent Term

Metallic and Industrial Minerals Permit

$625 + GST

not applicable

14 years

Metallic and Industrial Minerals Lease

$625 + GST

$3.50/ha
($50 minimum)

15 years
(renewable)

Metallic and Industrial Minerals Licence
(placer licence)

$ 50 + GST

not applicable

5 years

Ammonite Shell Agreement

$625 + GST

$3.50/ha
($50 minimum)

15 years
(renewable for 5 years)

Royalty reporting and payment

Royalty reporting and payment are required for Metallic and Industrial Minerals Leases.

Follow these instructions:

  • Royalty reports may be submitted by mail, fax or email to the Coal and Mineral Development Unit (see Contact, below)
  • Royalties may be paid by cheque or direct deposit (Electronic Funds Transfer)
  • You may submit payment and the report separately. If you do, include the payment method, date and applicable transaction codes with your royalty report.

For additional instructions, please go to Royalty information.

Royalty regime and rate Reporting instructions

Non-producing Metallic and Industrial Minerals Lease

By January 31 of the production year, declare non-production.
By January 31 of the year following the production year, confirm no production occurred.
No royalty payment is required.

Per cent of net revenue
Greater of 1% mine mouth revenue and 12% net revenue

Report and payment are due no later than the last day of the month following the quarter.

Per cent of production value (placer minerals royalty)

For any quarter in which a sale of placer minerals occurred, report and payment are due no later than the last day of the month following that quarter.

Flat rate
(bulk commodities, salt)
Rate varies, depending on mineral

From the first month of production, report quarterly. Report and payment are due no later than the last day of the month following the quarter.

Contact

Connect with the Coal and Mineral Development Unit:

Hours: 8:15 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-7707
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: cmd.energy@gov.ab.ca

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