Launch Your Burnaby Nonmetallic Minerals Mining Support Services
This page guides you through starting a Burnaby-based business in the field of Support Activities for Nonmetallic Minerals (except Fuels) Mining (NAICS 213115). It provides a practical requirements overview, the permits you may need, typical startup costs, and a realistic timeline to get your operation off the ground. Seven essentials to begin: 1) register the business with BC Corporate Registry; 2) secure a Burnaby municipal business license; 3) register for GST/HST and payroll; 4) meet environmental and land-use permissions; 5) set up a WorkSafeBC safety program; 6) obtain appropriate insurance and bonding; 7) arrange site access permits and a reclamation plan. You’ll also find where to apply and what fees to expect.
In Burnaby, this niche benefits from proximity to Vancouver’s supply chains, robust industrial zones, and a business-friendly climate, helping you reach clients efficiently. What you’ll learn includes concrete steps, permit paths, and cost ranges, all tied to a practical timeline. Core licenses can often be secured in about 2–6 weeks, with environmental or land-use permissions potentially taking longer (1–3 months or more). Startup costs typically start around CAD 1,500–5,000 for registrations, plus ongoing insurance, renewals, and licensing fees.
Requirements Overview
In Burnaby, the top priority for starting mining-support activities is the Explosives License and Magazine Storage. This requirement is non-negotiable if your work involves blasting or handling explosives—it's a legal safety and compliance standard. Without the proper license and approved storage, you cannot operate legally, and regulators will not permit any blasting-related activity. If your operations don’t involve explosives, you still should verify with the relevant authorities which licenses apply to your exact activities.
Next, focus on mandatory operational requirements that keep workers safe and the business compliant. You’ll need to follow the BC Employment Standards Act to guide fair wages, reasonable hours, and leaves for employees. Health and safety obligations are also key: ensure proper training, safe work practices, and any required permits for your activities. Ensure your workplace is covered by WorkSafeBC, with the appropriate employer registration and premium payments, so workers are protected and compliant.
For your business administration, you’ll need to handle registration and tax accounts. Obtain a Business Number (BN) from the Canada Revenue Agency and, if you operate under a name other than your own, register the BC Business Name for a sole proprietorship or partnership. Depending on your revenue and activities, you may also need GST/HST registration and payroll deductions registration to withhold and remit taxes, withhold CPP/EI, and report employment taxes.
If you’re ready to move forward, map out which licenses apply to your exact workload, set up your BN and business name as needed, and confirm GST/HST and payroll registrations based on anticipated revenue. Then contact WorkSafeBC and the explosives regulators (if blasting is involved) to complete the registrations and training steps. You’ve got this—take it one practical step at a time, and you’ll be on solid ground.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a support activities for nonmetallic minerals (except fuels) 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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Explosives License and Magazine Storage RequiredCompanies using explosives for mining/blasting must obtain federal explosives licenses, magazine storage permits, and comply with handling, transport, and security requirements. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) regulates explosives. License/permit for manufacture, storage, sale, possession. Magazine storage requirements. Blaster certification. Security screening. Annual inspections. Fireworks: separate categories. Contact NRCan Explosives: 1-855-283-8889.
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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 support activities for nonmetallic minerals (except fuels) mining:
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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 Alberta Carbon Capture Incentive Program (ACCIP) provides non-repayable grants equal to 12% of eligible capital costs for new CCUS projects, including equipment to capture, compress, transport, store or utilize carbon dioxide. The program is retroactive to January 1, 2022, meaning eligible capital costs incurred since that date qualify. Grants …
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Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) launched six prize-based challenges under the Impact Canada Initiative's Clean Technology Stream, backed by $75 million in federal funding announced in Budget 2017. The challenges—including Crush It!, Power Forward, Sky's the Limit, Charging the Future, Women in Cleantech, and the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative—used prize-challenge methodology to …
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A $50 million federal program (Budget 2017) that funded demonstration and testing of clean technologies in oil sands extraction, LNG production, emissions detection and monitoring, heat/water recovery, and alternative low-carbon power technologies for oil and gas facilities. All funding has been allocated and the program is fully closed.
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