Alberta's landscape is rich in many ways: unparalleled scenery, towering mountains, vast prairies, boreal forests, and bountiful resources. The geological strata of Alberta contain oil, oil sands, natural gas, coal deposits, and minerals.
The Mines and Minerals Act governs the management and disposition of rights for Crown-owned mines and minerals. The act is jointly administered by Alberta Energy and Minerals, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, and the AER.
What We Regulate Under the Act
We are responsible for part 8 of the Mines and Minerals Act, which relates to the exploration for mines and minerals in Alberta. We have this responsibility under the Responsible Energy and Development Act. Part 8 regulates
- exploration for subsurface minerals, including petroleum, natural gas, and other minerals; and
- exploration on both public and private lands.
Exploration takes place at the beginning of an energy project's life cycle. For example, before drilling a well, companies must do the following:
- Mine or extract coal or oil sands bitumen. This first step determines what's in the ground and whether it can be developed.
- Explore the surface and subsurface. This geophysical (or seismic) exploration might include drilling, building trenches, removing vegetation, or cutting grids.
We authorize and regulate geophysical or seismic exploration programs and activities under the Exploration Regulation.
What We Don't Regulate
Our Mines and Minerals Act responsibilities are specific to energy resource development. Alberta Energy and Alberta Environment and Parks are responsible for administering the rest of the act.
Rules and Restricted Areas
Exploration Directive
The Exploration Directive forms part of the Exploration Regulation and details rules for specific exploration activities and seismic operations under the Mines and Minerals Act (part 8).
Exploration of Restricted Areas
Some lands in Alberta have restrictions around seismic operations. This interactive list created by the Government of Alberta identifies those areas. Search the list by county or municipal district, restricted area number, or legal land description.
Application Process
Submit an Application
Companies must submit their Mines and Minerals Act applications using the appropriate form (see further below).
Applicants must include two separate cheques in their request for a licence or permit. These cheques are for
- the exploration licence application fee, and
- the exploration licence deposit.
The security deposit should not be combined with any other required payment.
Review Process
Our review process will vary based on the type of application.
Additional Information
For inquiries about geophysical activities or our inspections, please email exploration@aer.ca.
