Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia - Revised April 2024

Oct 29, 2026

Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia sets out the regulatory standards governing the province’s mining industry across all mine-life stages, from exploration and development to operation, closure, and reclamation. Revised April 2024 introduces updated requirements focused on emerging technologies, tailings storage facilities and dams, and strengthened worker health and safety protections. The revision includes new or updated threshold limit values for specified contaminants and updated provisions for safety when working near water and for safeguarding moving machinery parts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages398

Reading Time16 h 43 min

AccessFree to download

Mine Health Safety and Reclamation Code

Mines Act and Regulations (Updated to April 4, 2024)

Administrative Penalties (Mines) Regulation

Mine Reclamation Fund Regulation

Mines Fee Regulation

Mines Regulation

Purpose and Definitions

Part 1 Application of the Code and General Rules

Part 2 Occupational Health

Part 3 Personnel Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Part 4 Building, Machinery and Equipment

Part 5 Electrical Power System

Part 6 Mine Design and Procedures

Part 7 Hoists and Shafts

Part 8 Explosives

Part 9 Mineral Exploration (MX)

Part 10 Permitting, Reclamation and Closure

Part 11 Index

Part 12 Ministry Information

Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Victoria, British Columbia Revised April 2024 Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Victoria, British Columbia Revised April 2024 Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data Main entry under title: Select Standing Health, safety and reclamation code for mines in British Columbia Revised 2017 (not catalogued) 2008 reprinting of 2003 ed. Includes Index. ISBN 978-0-7726-6011-4 1. Mine safety—Law and legislation—British Columbia. 2. Mineral industries—Health aspects—British Columbia. 3. Abandoned mined lands reclamation—British Columbia. 4. Reclamation of land—Law and legislation—British Columbia. 5. Mining law—British Columbia. I. British Columbia. Mining Division. KEB409 .7. M5B74 2003 344.71104’65 C2005-800930-2 KEF3574 . M5B74 2003 Message from the Minister April 2024 Our government remains committed to the health and safety of all British Columbians. Following a recommendation by the Mining Jobs Task Force, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation established a Standing Code Review Committee (Committee) in 2019, with equal representation from Indigenous communities, labour, and industry. The Committee’s primary objective is to review B.C.’s mining regulations in light of evolving trends and to ensure strong protections for worker health, worker safety, and the environment at mine sites. The Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (Code) is the primary vehicle for regulating the province’s mining industry. The Code includes regulatory standards that address all stages of a mine’s life: from exploration through to mine development, operation, closure, and reclamation. This revised Code provides new and updated requirements related to emerging technologies, tailings storage facilities and dams, and enhanced worker health and safety. This includes updates to threshold limit values for diesel particulate matter, formaldehyde, welding fumes, asbestos, and coal dust; updated provisions to address hazards related to worker safety when working near water; and updated provisions related to safeguarding moving parts of machinery or equipment. The revisions reflect the Committee’s ongoing mandate to continually improve, strengthen and modernize the regulatory framework for mines in British Columbia. I would like to thank the Code Review Committee, the supporting technical Sub‑Committees and Task Groups, and the UN Declaration Sub‑Committee members for the work that has been completed on this edition of the Code. The collaborative work of everyone involved helps to improve worker safety and strengthens oversight in support of a responsible and sustainable mining industry in British Columbia. Honourable Josie Osborne Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation HEALTH, SAFETY AND RECLAMATION CODE REVIEW COMMITTEE 2024 REVISIONS Current Chair: Jorge Freitas, Director, Code Review Secretariat Members Charlie Allison, Upper Similkameen Indian Band Tamlyn Botel, Citw Nlaka’pamux Assembly Kim Bittman, Kim Bittman Consulting Rob Foskett, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115 Ed Kent, United Steelworkers Union Dean Lott, United Steelworkers Union Sean Masse, Brucejack Mine Dani Miller, Mainland Construction Nalaine Morin, Arrowblade Consulting, Tahltan First Nation Kyle Penner, Tahltan First Nation David Rogalsky, Woodbrook Aggregates Don Sander, Teck Resources Dave Williams, Unifor SUB-COMMITTEES AND TASK GROUPS Emerging Technology Sub‑Committee Occupational Health Sub‑Committee Part 10 – TSFs and Dams Sub‑Committee Safeguarding of Machinery and Equipment Task Group UN Declaration Sub‑Committee Worker Safety When Working Near Water Task Group TABLE OF CONTENTS Mine Health Safety and Reclamation Code Page M

FAQs

What does the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code cover across a mine’s lifecycle?

It regulates all stages of a mine’s life, from exploration through development, operation, closure, and reclamation.

What key updates are included in the Revised April 2024 edition?

It includes new or updated requirements for emerging technologies, tailings storage facilities and dams, and enhanced worker health and safety measures.

How does the Code improve worker safety in specific work situations?

It updates provisions addressing hazards when working near water and adds requirements for safeguarding moving parts of machinery or equipment.

Oct 29, 2026

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