What should be included in the work plan?
A work plan or proposal outlining the work over the seasons and multiple years will help with the review and assessment phase, as all as the consultation phase. Here are some suggestions of what to include:
Introduction and Background
Provide an overview of the need and/or rationale for the project and purpose; may include one or more of the following depending on the proposed project:
- description of proposed development and schedule for stages of the development
- details of existing land use on the site and on land adjoining it
- prior programs conducted and authorizations received from government (if applicable)
- geological overview and mineral potential and reference to previous studies and results of previous activities relating to past exploration programs
- current market trends, if a specified mineral is targeted by the project
- processes and technologies to be used, and products or services required
Project Information
Provide details of all components of the proposed project and activities for which you are seeking authorization (e.g., access road, airstrip, waste disposal area, etc.):
- proposed dates for project planning, construction, and operation (include seasonality of operations if applicable)
- details on activities related to Geological, Geochemical and/or Geophysical surveys (or other survey activities, including seismic)
- details on geochemical, geological and geophysical surveys, including any line cutting that is required
- details on any development of new trails/roads or upgrades to existing trails/roads
- details on activities related to the development of a temporary work camps
- details on the development of new pads for drill holes and helicopters
- changes that will be made in such land use for the purposes of the proposed project
Maps and Location Information
Provide detailed maps of the proposed project area that clearly identifies locations for all activities (drill sites, camp locations, stream crossings, roads/trails, etc.) that will occur as part of the proposed exploration project. Ensure your maps include the following information:
- location of local and regional surface waterbodies (lakes, rivers, wetlands, etc.)
- location of existing trails/roads
- location of proposed new trails/roads or trails/roads that where upgrades are planned
- location of any known Heritage resources (e.g., archaeological and historic sites, etc.)
- location of any traditional-use areas identified by a local Indigenous community
- detailed maps with 1:50,000 resolution in KMZ format or shape files
- overview maps with 1:250,000 in KMZ format or shape files
- boundary information for Provincial Parks, Provincial Forest, Resource Management Areas, Community Interest Zones
Impacts to Natural and Human Environment
Provide an overview and description of the environment as related to the proposed project, including the following:
- the local area and regional setting including important terrain features such as hills, valleys, lakes, rivers, shorelines, etc.
- local and regional surface waterbodies (lakes, rivers, wetlands, etc.) and of the regional groundwater conditions (aquifers, recharge areas, quality, wells, etc.)
- the aquatic environment including fish resources and habitat, benthic invertebrates, aquatic plants, etc. for each waterbody that could be affected by the proposed project
- the terrestrial environment including vegetation, wildlife (mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, etc.), wildlife habitat, etc. that could be affected by the proposed project
- identification and proximity to any protected areas (e.g., provincial parks, wildlife management areas, etc.)
- identification of any rare, threatened or endangered species or any important or sensitive species and/or habitats, particularly if federally and/or provincially protected
Identify any potential impacts of the proposed project on the environment, including, but not limited to the following:
- wildlife and fisheries, including seasonal considerations (e.g., fish spawning, calving, etc.)
- surface water and groundwater
- harvesting and handling of forestry product/resources (e.g., line cutting, clearing for roads, work camps, and pads for drill holes and helicopters)
- storage, transportation and disposal of any hazardous wastes that may be produced
- identification of any storage of gasoline or associated products (e.g., diesel fuel, used oil, heating oil, aviation gas, solvents, isopropanol, methanol, acetone, etc.)
- plans to burn any material on the exploration site
Indigenous Engagement
Provide an overview of all engagement activities undertaken with Indigenous communities and representative organizations. This should include potential impacts to the socio-economic environment as related to the proposed project, as follows:
- any record of Indigenous engagement that identify which Indigenous communities were engaged, who was contacted, the information supplied, when it was supplied, and how it was supplied. This may include records of discussion, meeting minutes, letters of support, etc.
- identification of any existing public safety and human health risks in the development area
- identification and proximity to any known heritage resources (e.g., archaeological and historic sites, etc.
- identification of traditional-use areas identified by a local Indigenous community in the vicinity of the proposed project
- socio-economic implications resulting from environmental impact
- identification and description of the existing land and resource uses in the region including forestry, trapping, hydroelectric, recreation, resource tourism, etc.
- environmental information may come from sources such as site visits, previous studies, environmental databases, ecological land classification, and traditional knowledge
Indigenous engagement should begin early in the planning phase. Applicants are advised to undertake early, timely and culturally appropriate engagement with Indigenous peoples that ensures the concerns and interests in a project and its potential impacts are understood and addressed.
Lack of pre-engagement may delay Crown-Indigenous Consultation and result in subsequent delays in permitting decisions.
Heritage Resources
- early heritage screening and the heritage resource impact assessment process are consistent business/industry-wide practices within and outside of Manitoba
- project proponents at all phases of exploration must be aware of early requirements involving heritage screenings and the potential for heritage resource impact assessments
- the heritage screening and heritage resource impact assessment should be viewed as front-end processes that serves as an early preventative measure intended to avoid work stoppages in future
- if a heritage screening or heritage resource impact assessment is identified as a requirement at the time of the technical review and assessment, delays in project implementation can result
- Heritage Resources Info: Archaeological, paleontological and historic resources in Manitoba are protected under The Heritage Resources Act (1985)
Environmental Management, Impact Mitigations and Remediation
Provide details on environmental management and remediation activities to be employed to prevent or mitigate adverse implications from the impacts identified above, where applicable:
- containment, handling, monitoring, storage, treatment, and final disposal of pollutants
- conservation and protection of natural environment
- conservation and protection of heritage resources
Provide details on planned environmental restoration and rehabilitation activities to be undertaken at the project site upon project completion:
- access roads and trails (e.g., revegetating roads)
- drilling and trenching
- reclaiming drill sites
- temporary work camps
- removal of equipment, fuel and waste
- plan for managing residual environmental effects remaining after the application of mitigation measures (e.g., monitoring, inspection, surveillance, audit, etc.)
Provide details on mitigation practices incorporated into the project planning and design as a result of feedback received during the Indigenous engagement activities.
