Launch Burnaby Kaolin, Clay, Ceramic, and Refractory Minerals Mining
This page is your practical starting point for launching a Kaolin, Clay, Ceramic, and Refractory Minerals Mining operation in Burnaby under NAICS 212323. It lays out what you need to know to move from idea to compliant operation: a straightforward overview of the six requirements you’ll need to meet, plus upfront details on permits, typical startup costs, and a realistic timeline from permitting to production.
What you’ll learn: a simple run-through of each requirement, the key permits and licenses at municipal, provincial, and federal levels, the main cost buckets (land, equipment, site prep, consulting, and environmental compliance), and a practical timeline that helps you plan milestones—from securing rights to first ore extraction.
Why Burnaby makes sense for this niche: Burnaby’s strategic location in Metro Vancouver gives you ready access to suppliers, transport links, and a skilled workforce, with a supportive business climate for resource ventures. The city’s zoning and environmental review processes are manageable with proper planning, making it a realistic first step for a mining operation focused on kaolin, clay, ceramics, and refractory minerals.
Requirements Overview
For a mining operation in Burnaby, the most important baseline requirement is BC Employment Standards Act Compliance. This means you must follow rules on wages, hours, overtime, vacation pay, and leaves for anyone you employ. You can’t legally operate without meeting these standards, so set up clear payroll practices, keep accurate records, and stay current with any changes to the act. Establishing solid, fair employment practices at the start helps prevent surprises later.
Operational health and safety come next. Ensure WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration for all workers, and put practical safety measures in place, such as hazard assessments, regular safety training, and incident reporting. You may also need local mining-related permits and approvals from Burnaby and provincial authorities, and you should align with environmental and site safety rules before work begins. A straightforward safety plan now will reduce delays and keep your team protected.
Business Registration & Tax is the next area to lock down. Obtain a Canada Revenue Agency Business Number (BN) to handle tax registrations and filings. If you’re using a business name as a sole proprietor or partnership, complete BC Business Name Registration. Register for GST/HST if your revenues meet the threshold or if you want to recover input taxes. If you have employees, set up Payroll Deductions and related CRA registrations so you’re compliant from day one.
Next steps: map out timelines and responsibilities, and reach out to a local advisor or regulator to confirm the exact requirements for your Burnaby operation. Start the registrations in parallel with your planning, and you’ll build a solid, compliant foundation to grow your kaolin, clay, ceramic, and refractory minerals mining venture safely and legally. You’ve got this—take it one step at a time.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a kaolin, clay, and ceramic and refractory minerals mining in Burnaby:
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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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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 kaolin, clay, and ceramic and refractory minerals 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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