Comparison of Regulatory Processes Associated with Metal-Mine Development inAlaska and British Columbia

摘要

The United States has well developed regulations for evaluating and permittingmine development projects. Similarly, Canada has a well developed regulatory review and permitting process, with similarities and differences existing between the two systems. Case studies investigating regulatory processes associated with metal-mine development have been developed for the Cominco Red Dog Mine and the Western Gold Exploration and Mining Company, Limited Partnership (WestGold) Nome Offshore Placer Project (BIMA) in Alaska and the Cominco Snip Mine in British Columbia. The objectives of the case studies were to review metal-mine permitting processes in Alaska and British Columbia as described in the above case studies and to identify industry and regulatory strengths and weaknesses based on project permitting histories.