The regulatory environment for a mine is complex and dependent upon the country in which the mine is operating. In Canada, there are federal, provincial and territorial acts and regulations that all must be adhered to during all stages of resource development including: exploration, development, production, and closure. a Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan was developed in 2019 and can be viewed at Mines Canada

It is important for mining companies to consult all levels of government to understand the complexity of legislation that applies. For example in Canada, both the Federal and Provincial government have regulatory requirements. The most stringent standard must be followed and this has nothing to do with what is newer from either a provincial or national standpoint. If a mine is private in Canada, they must go through the process of legally acquiring the land and mining rights, seeking government approval, obtaining permits, purchasing equipment, construction, and so on. If a mining company is to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange , a NI 43-101 must be filed in addition to doing all of the above.