Regulatory Corner - October 2024

Alberta – Consultation on Canal Directive 071 Emergency Preparedness and Response

On July 29, 2024, the Alberta Energy Regulator announced consultation on proposed changes to Directive 071: Emergency Preparedness and Response, Manual 026: Emergency Preparedness and Response Guide and three associated forms. Comments are due by November 25, 2024.

Directive 071 sets out the requirements for emergency preparedness and response for activities regulated under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act (OGCA), Pipeline Act, Oil Sands Conservation Act (OSCA), Coal Conservation Act (CCA), Geothermal Resource Development Act (GRDA), and Mineral Resources Development Act (MRDA) unless explicitly excluded. The directive will now apply to operations of different sizes, types, and hazards regardless of the duty holder’s energy and resource development activities or the phase of the development’s life cycle. Manual 026 provides guidance, explanation, and expectations to enable a duty holder to meet the requirements of Directive 071. The new forms will be used to establish a level of certainty in the duty holder’s emergency management program.

Further information is available at https://www.aer.ca/regulating-development/rules-and-directives/directives/directive-071-draft#:˜:text=Directive%20071%20sets%20out%20the%20requirements%20for%20emergency,Mineral%20Resources%20Development%20Act%20%28MRDA%29%20unless%20explicitly%20excluded.

 

Yukon – Independent Technical Review of Eagle Gold Mine Failure

On August 30, 2024, the Yukon Government announced the appointment of an Independent Review Board. The Independent Review Board process is consistent with the Yukon’s Mine Waste Facilities Management Guidelines.

The purpose of the independent review is to identify the causes of the heap leach failure. This will include a review of the design, construction, operation, maintenance and monitoring of the heap leach facility. Conducting an independent technical review of a major mine infrastructure failure is common practice across the world.

Further information is available at Independent technical review of Eagle Gold mine failure begins | Government of Yukon