MonitorPro Streamlines Canadian MDMER Reporting Requirements

Metal and Diamond Effluent Mining Regulations (MDMER) became part of operating regulations for Canada’s metal and diamond mines in 2018, replacing the previous Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER) which was implemented in 2002.

The MDMER regulations set strict limits on the effluent discharged by metal and diamond mines to help protect Canada’s lakes and rivers.  As part of these regulations the effluent has strict concentration-based limits for: Arsenic, copper cyanide, lead, nickel, zinc, suspended solids, radium 226, un-ionised ammonia, and must have a pH between a set minimum and maximum.  In addition operators must test and report these levels and complete Environmental Effects Monitoring Studies (Government of Canada, MDMER Regulations, Canada.ca 2026).

MonitorPro provides a number of features to help our Canadian clients met their MDMER reporting requirements, including MP-Field, a flexible calculation engine, and customisable compliance which enable lab and field collected parameters to be seamlessly compared to the set limits.

MDMER Regulations require a considerable amount of field data collection, calculations to be performed on the collected data, and subsequent onward reporting.  Doing this manually is time consuming and can be error prone (for more information see our advantages of electronic field data collection article). MP-Field provides the user with a site visit (set up in the Monitoring Scheduler) highlighting what data is required and where, offering flexible data input types such as drop down menus, radio buttons, and date pickers.

This provides a digital method of recording field data which is then automatically uploaded into the database, removing potential human error, missed sample points, or incorrect data being recorded.   It will also highlight if data has been missed and alert users showing the percentage of the visit that has been completed.

MonitorPro has a highly configurable calculator which is perfectly suited to our Canadian client’s requirements.

Monitor Pro’s calculation engine is set to up to automatically calculate monthly mean values for grab samples gathered during the course of the month. The calculations update with each new value, and email alerts inform our users if the monthly mean limits have been breached, allowing them to course correct prior to month end.

It also seamlessly calculates field un-ionized Ammonia (UIA) from field-based Temperature, pH, and Ammonia-Nitrogen, calculated directly from the results entered into MP-Field.

MonitorPro’s compliance system is set up to utilise various features, including the date/time filters, so that past limits are compared to past data. Current limits are compared to current data and future limits are already in place for the time the new limits come into force. Additionally, the various categories of exceedances can be utilised, so that future limit exceedances are set as a warning to alert our users about potential future issues.

MonitorPro has been working with clients in Canada since 2008, ensuring they met their permit conditions and streamlining their environmental compliance saving a considerable amount of time and money.

Amendments to the MDMER occur periodically, including stricter discharge limits for arsenic, cyanide, and lead in 2021. MonitorPro is continually developed working alongside our clients feedback to ensure any regulatory changes don’t impact their reporting and environmental compliance.