The current policy of MNDMF re mining lands is "Use it or lose it". MNDMF has a low tolerance level for individuals/companies who stake claims and then do no "real" exploration on them. If it appears that the claims were staked for other than mining purposes, I believe those claims can be cancelled under the Mining Act. I don't know what games the individual is playing here, but it appears rather obvious to me a geologist, and will to the geologists/mining lands people in MNDMF, that the claims were not staked with any intention of conducting any bona fide exploration activity. If they expect to receive any form of compensation from a road or rail developer, good luck. I don't think that they will receive any support from the Ontario government just because they "temporarily" hold mining claims along the route.

Permission to extract aggregates in Ontario falls under the Aggregate Resources Act, not the Mining Act. Having leased claims under the latter, I believe does not guarantee or otherwise assure future ownership or extraction of any aggregates present even if you own the surface rights. Under the Mining Act, mining means the extraction of minerals, where the latter is defined as:

“minerals” means all naturally occurring metallic and non-metallic minerals, including natural gas, petroleum, coal, salt, quarry and pit material, gold, silver and all rare and precious minerals and metals, but does not include sand, gravel and peat; (“minéraux”)"

Respectfully submitted

geoprof