Mines Ministers Conference

In September 2001, the Mines Ministers requested that a National Orphaned/Abandoned Mines (NAOM) Advisory Committee be struck to address a variety of issues, including: a national inventory of active, closed and orphaned/abandoned (O/A) mine sites; definitions and terminology as applied to O/A mine sites; fostering community involvement in decision-making about closure and reclamation standards; evaluating various approaches to removing barriers to collaboration with respect to abandoned mine cleanup; and evaluating models and mechanisms to pay for the remediation of orphaned/abandoned sites.

The Mines Ministers Conference (MMC) Planning Committee has selected abandoned mines as an issue to highlight for the MMC in Halifax on September 29th, 2003. On the morning of September 29th, there will be a one-hour open session devoted to this issue, beginning with a 15-minute overview, followed by a 5-minute presentation by each ENGO, Aboriginal and industry representative, and concluding with a 30 minute-discussion.

The CEN has been asked to facilitate the selection of one ENGO representative to make a presentation at the Conference. This ENGO representative will also be able to participate as an observer for the rest of the morning. Transportation, accommodation and meals will be covered.