The Hobby Mineral Collecting…

The Hobby Mineral Collecting Guide proposal falls short of the long awaited Mineral Collecting Policy.

It seems that the authors of this proposal are not familiar with the value of mineral collecting to the province; the process of mineral collecting; the mechanisms of mineral collecting; commercial mineral collecting; threats to mineral collecting sites; the changing role of mineral collecting/geotourism/fee for collecting sites etc. in part due to COVID.

Here are some concerns that have not been addressed:

In recent years several classic mineral collecting sites have been lost due to conflicting land use.
Has any thought been given to the identification and protection of well documented, significant, mineral collecting sites through the land use planning process?

What about identification and protection of mineral sites that may be of significance to indigenous peoples?

Many international collectors exploit Ontario collecting sites - is there to be any recognition of Ontario
residents who are mineral collectors.

National, Provincial and Regional prospectors and developers associations have established relationships and rapport with the Ministry of Mines. Is there any will to develop communication with the various mineral collecting associations?

Social media has inspired new interest in panning for gold and other heavy minerals. Mineral collecting in streams and other navigable waters has not been addressed in this proposal. What about collecting rocks and mineral on beaches?

Does the proposal apply to collecting fossils, gemstones, meteorites and other potentially high value items? or is there other applicable legislation?

What about collectors who gather type specimens of rocks and minerals for sale to science supply companies?

Other jurisdictions in Canada and the US have programs to encourage mineral collecting and protect mineral collecting sites. Has any effort been made to review these initiatives?

It is assumed that mineral collecting involves low impact hand tools - small hammers, chisels, sledges etc but modern collectors have more tools and technology at their disposal. (Microblasters, drills, metal detectors, drones, databases etc) There is also an unrecognized potential for creating hazards as collectors will excavate small but unsafe trenches/tunnels in search of elusive specimens.

Although experienced collectors are aware of physical/chemical/environmental dangers to certain minerals there is a need for more education that could be through Mines Ministry interactions? publications etc.?

A comprehensive mineral policy could help address some of these concerns. The current proposal is a missed opportunity to enhance the value and protect the future of mineral collecting in the Province.

These comments are some last minute thought on reading the proposal. I would welcome the opportunity for further discussion.