The province is working towards an approach that balances conservation, development objectives and Aboriginal and treaty rights. Aboriginal communities will be able to prohibit mining in areas considered sensitive, culturally significant, or areas that do not conform with their own land use plans. The legislation insures land use plans are in place before new mines are developed.

The Liberal government has committed $40 million over three years for initiatives to support updating the Mining Act, building on commitments made last July to conserve more than 50 percent of Ontario's Far North region from development.