Launch an Industrial Sand Mining Venture in Surrey
This page breaks down the seven key requirements to start an industrial sand mining operation in Surrey. You’ll get a practical, step-by-step view of the permits, permissions, and costs involved, plus a realistic timeline from concept to compliant production. Use this overview to map your plan, budget, and milestones so you can move forward confidently.
What you’ll learn: the seven requirements, with the permits and costs they trigger. 1) local zoning and land-use approvals, 2) municipal business license, 3) provincial mining authorization and environmental permits, 4) water-use license, 5) reclamation plan and financial assurances, 6) health and safety registrations, training, and audits, 7) stakeholder engagement and reporting. You’ll also see typical startup costs—from site prep to licensing fees—and a timeline that often spans several months to a couple of years, depending on approvals. This page also highlights typical upfront and ongoing investments, helping you plan financing and risk management.
Why Surrey works: Surrey's robust industrial zones, strong logistics, and access to skilled labor and suppliers help streamline permitting and operations, putting your sand mining venture closer to Vancouver markets.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a business in Surrey is a Business Licence. This licence, issued by the City of Surrey, is mandatory to legally run any business activity within the city limits, including industrial sand mining. Without it, you’re not allowed to operate and you risk fines, enforcement notices, or a shutdown. This is non-negotiable and should be your top priority in the startup steps.
Next come the mandatory operational requirements related to health, safety, and employment. If you hire workers, you’ll need WorkSafeBC coverage and registration to fund workplace injury benefits, and you must follow the BC Employment Standards Act for employee pay, hours, vacation, and leave. Alongside these, establish clear safety rules, training plans, and incident reporting so your site meets essential protections for everyone on the job.
On the business registration and tax side, you’ll need a Business Number (BN) from the Canada Revenue Agency to handle taxes and payroll. If you’re operating under a name other than your own, register the BC Business Name for a sole proprietorship or partnership. Depending on your revenue, you’ll also register for GST/HST and for Payroll Deductions with the CRA. These registrations keep your finances compliant and give you the right accounts to operate smoothly.
With these foundations in place, you’re on solid ground. Next steps: secure the Surrey licence, set up the BN and business name, register for GST/HST and payroll, confirm WorkSafeBC coverage, and ensure BC Employment Standards Act compliance. If you’d like, I can map out a simple 90-day action plan and point you to the exact local and provincial contacts to call.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a industrial sand mining in Surrey:
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BC Employment Standards Act Compliance RequiredEmployer compliance with BC Employment Standards Act requirements for wages, hours, and working conditions BC Employment Standards Act sets minimum requirements for all employers. Minimum wage: $17.85/hour (effective June 1, 2025). Standard hours: 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Overtime: time-and-a-half after 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week. 5 paid sick days required. Vacation: 2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years. Contact Employment Standards Branch: 1-833-236-3700.
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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Business Licence RequiredGeneral business licence required to operate a business in City of Surrey. Apply to City of Surrey for Business Licence: 1. Determine business category 2. Complete business licence application 3. Submit required documents (ID, lease, zoning confirmation) 4. Pay application and annual fees 5. Await approval and receive licence Contact City of Surrey Business Licensing for specific requirements. Home-based businesses may have different requirements. Annual renewal required.
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BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) RequiredRegistration of sole proprietorship or partnership business names with BC Registries Register sole proprietorship or partnership at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. Name reservation: $30 (standard) or $100 (priority 1-2 days). Registration fee: $40. Total: ~$70. Name reserved for 56 days after approval. Registration is continuous (no renewal required). No name protection for sole proprietorships. Personal names operating under own name do not require registration. Contact BC Registries: 1-877-526-1526.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration ConditionalRequired if you have workers in BC. Workers compensation insurance coverage through WorkSafeBC for employers in British Columbia WorkSafeBC coverage required for most BC employers. Average base premium rate: 1.55% of assessable payroll ($1.55 per $100). Register online at worksafebc.com. Apply 30 days before starting business or hiring workers. Processing: ~10 business days. Premium rates vary by industry classification (514 classification units). COR certified employers eligible for 10% rebate. Contact: 604-276-3100 or 1-888-967-5377.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your industrial sand mining:
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The CMETC provides a 30% federal income tax credit (in addition to the base 15% Mineral Exploration Tax Credit) on eligible exploration expenditures renounced to flow-through shareholders for critical minerals. The November 2025 Federal Budget expanded the list of eligible minerals from 15 to 27. Valid for FTS agreements entered …
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The SMETC allows Saskatchewan individual taxpayers (excluding trusts) to claim a 30% non-refundable tax credit on the cost of eligible flow-through shares purchased from approved mineral exploration companies conducting exploration activities in Saskatchewan. The credit is claimed on Form T1279. Any unused credit may be carried forward 10 years or …
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The Ignite Program provides up to $300,000 to BC-based industry-academic teams for R&D projects in natural resources, applied science, and/or engineering. Projects must be at TRL 3 or above, have commercialization potential within 3 years, and secure 2:1 matching funds from industry or government sources. Funded by the Natural Resources …
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Under the CIIP, eligible industrial facilities reporting under the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act (GGIRCA) and emitting more than 10,000 tCO2e per year could receive a payment equal to all carbon tax paid above $30 per tCO2e, provided their emissions intensity met the world-leading benchmark for their sector. …
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The BC CleanBC Industry Fund (CIF) uses carbon pricing revenue to support emission-reduction projects at large industrial facilities in British Columbia. Two funding streams are available: the Innovation Accelerator (supporting pilot or demonstration projects using pre-commercial clean technology at TRL 7–8) and Feasibility Studies (supporting desktop viability studies for future …
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