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The new Mining Code of the Republic of Burundi makes sure that artisanal miners undertake to comply with the environmental regulations and affirms the principles of rational quarry exploitation in compliance with the environmental regulations in order to support the development of the country's mineral resources and to create jobs through the profitable and sustainable exploitation of Burundi's natural resources and advantages, although reforms are needed to align the mining regulations on other more recent provisions, particularly the Environmental Code

Under Decision No. 2427 of 2011, the national strategy provides, inter alia, for: non- renewable mineral resources to be managed, protected, exploited and used rationally; survey and evaluation of mineral resources to be implemented in advance to permit efficient planning; exploration and mining to be associated with the potential for processing and use of each type of mineral, in light of the needs of all economic sectors; for large-scale deposits of minerals, only processed products with high economic value to be exported; and international cooperation to be utilized to access scientific knowledge and environmentally friendly technologies. The strategy focuses on: coal, uranium, metals, non-metals, construction materials, natural thermal water, mineral water, oil, and gas. It also provides guidelines in several specific areas of regulation, i.e. management and planning, science and technology, finance, and environmental protection.

On the basis of the Mines and Minerals Act, the Board issues prospecting licences, mining leases, and mineral permits for any mineral other than diamonds, provided the applicant (national or foreign) has adequate financial resources, technical competence and experience, and makes proper provisions for environmental protection.

The Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project (SMMRP) is a five-year (2010-14) programme co-financed by the International Development Association and the Tanzanian Government, while the Petroleum Act, approved in 2008, introduced provisions for, inter alia, public safety and environmental protection

List of Concessions, 2019 No. ISIC Business activities Investment conditions Management level Relevant legislation Responsible ministries 6 Mining and mineral processing
- (...) Must conduct environmental and social impact assessments of the project, - Law on Environmental Protection No. 29/NA, 18 November 2012
and be approved by the natural resource and environmental sector (…)

Under the new Mining Code, mining title holders are required to observe the norms in force for the protection of the environment, and an environmental impact assessment by the Ministry of the Environment is required.

(...) The Government continues to ensure that environmental and social impact assessment, occupational health and safety standards and stakeholder engagements are undertaken prior to commencement of mining projects.

Several key bodies are currently responsible for regulating mining activities, namely:
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• The National Institute of Mines (Instituto Nacional de Minas – INM) is the new regulatory body established by the new Mining Law to regulate mining activities, and its primary responsibilities include: reviewing, analysing and approving mining projects, including carrying out technical and economic studies for the opening of new mines, in addition to decommissioning and/or closing mines; minimizing the social and environmental impacts of mining projects; publishing guidelines on public and private sector participation in the mining sector; and proposing new policies to the MIREME regarding the development of the mining sector.
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Besides the concession and the authorization to use the land, approval must also be obtained for the environmental management tools for mineral exploration, exploitation and/or processing. In 2017, the new Regulations on Environmental Protection for Mining Exploration Activities were published, replacing the previous 2008 regulations. (...)

While mining activities fall under provincial jurisdiction, mining projects are subject to both provincial and federal Environmental Assessments. The federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and Environment and Climate Change Canada have an important role in the Environmental Assessments of almost all major mining projects, as well as serving as the Crown's consultation coordinator for many major resource projects. Canada is currently working to modernize its federal environmental assessment and regulatory processes. The proposed changes, including a new impact assessment process, aim to support jobs and economic opportunities through a more timely, predictable, and transparent assessment process that strengthens investor confidence, restores public trust, advances Indigenous reconciliation, and enhances environmental performance.