Directive 019 in the Mining Industry (2025): Everything You Need to Know About Noise and Vibration Requirements

Main New Features on Noise and Vibration in the 2025 Edition of Directive 019

The 2025 version of Directive 019 introduces significant changes to the noise and vibration regulations. To give you a quick overview, the following tables summarize the main new features. Each criterion is explained in greater detail by our experts in the sections that follow.

Noise Requirements  Key Changes of Directive 019 (2012) and (2025)

Vibration Requirements Key Changes of Directive 019 (2012) and (2025)

Noise: What Impact Will the New 2025 Regulation Have on Your Mining Project

With regard to noise management, Directive 019 continues to refer explicitly to Instruction Note 98-01 “Handling Noise Complaints and Requirements for Noise-generating Companies” (NI98-01).

However, several aspects have been updated since the previous edition. Here's a look at what's new - and more importantly, what these changes mean in practical terms for mining projects.

 

Noise Monitoring Radius

In the 2025 version of the Directive, the noise assessment and monitoring distance has not been extended to 1 km, with the following implications:

• It is obligatory to carry out a predictive study of the noise climate when a dwelling or public establishment is located within a one-kilometer radius of the mine, to ensure compliance with the permissible noise levels set out in NI98-01.
• Where applicable, the Directive states that the predictive noise climate study must include the following elements:  
  • Identification of mobile and fixed noise sources (temporary, permanent).
  • Location of noise sources.
  • The duration by which these noise sources will be used (per day, week, or year) and at what time (hours).
• If applicable, what measures will be used to reduce noise levels, and what level of noise reduction is planned?
• For the modalities of the predictive study (modeling), the Directive continues to refer to NI 98-01.

Noise Monitoring Program

Depending on the context, environmental noise monitoring is now a mandatory requirement at all stages of the mining cycle: exploration, development, operation, and site closure.

This monitoring enables validation of compliance with regard to noise levels and to better anticipate at-risk situations.

• A summary of noise climate monitoring results must be included in the annual report. 
• Whenever the maximum noise level is exceeded, reports must be sent to the Ministry. 
• In addition, if maximum noise levels are exceeded as a result of mining project operations, noise sources must be identified and corrective measures implemented.
   

Noise Complaints and Data Retention Periods

The 2025 edition of Directive 019 also includes new requirements for noise complaint management, data retention periods, and communications with the Ministry.

• The handling of noise complaints is now a mandatory process.
• In addition to complying with the noise limits imposed by NI98-01, as well as those stipulated by current municipal regulations, the mine must now keep a register of complaints and forward it to the Ministry on request .
• Registered complaints must include, but not be limited to:
  • A description of the perceived noise that led to the complaint.
  • Corrective actions taken by the operator to reduce the noise level that caused the complaint. 
  • Refer to section 3.4.1 “Maximum Permissible Noise Level” on page 35 of Directive 019 (version 2025) for information on what the complaint register should contain.
• Data should be retained for 5 years minimum.
   

Vibrations: What Impact Will the New 2025 Regulations Have on Your Mining Project?

For vibration, the 2025 version of Directive 019 introduces the following changes:

• A standardized limit of 12,7 mm/s is allowed at the point of impact during blasting, regardless of the type of mine and the distance between the mine and sensitive receptors.
• The maximum limit of 128 dB limit for air overpressure is maintained.
• Vibration monitoring is mandatory for all stages of the mining cycle, including exploration.
• A communication program is required with residents who reside within a 1 km perimeter and with the municipalities concerned.
• All data pertaining to the monitoring of blasting activities must be kept for a minimum of 5 years.

Note: Unlike the 2012 version of Directive 019, the 2025 version no longer imposes a specific number of vibration monitoring stations to be installed. It does, however, require that at least one station be placed in close proximity to the nearest fixed dwellings to the mining site, even if situated outside the 1 km perimeter, in order to adequately measure the impact of blasting. A request for exemption may be submitted to the Ministry when the nearest points of impact are outside the area affected by blasting.

 

Communication Program

A communication program has not been made mandatory for blasting operations. Although Directive 019 does not detail the elements of a communication program, certain best practices are to be favoured, including:

• Informing the public, in advance, of activities likely to cause vibration (e.g. date, time and duration of blasting operations).
• An explanation of the prevention and mitigation measures that have been put in place.
• Managing Complaints: recording each complaint and ensuring that they are handled appropriately.
• Etc.

Taking Quality Measurements for Vibrations

Although Directive 019 specifies certain limits, it does not specify reference documents or standards, as is the case for noise in NI98-01, in terms of the instrumentation to be used.

In cases such as this, in order to have data that is reliable and defensible, the use of seismographs complying with recognized standards in the field is highly recommended. The best-known reference documents, generally widely accepted in the mining community and used in North America, come from the International Society of Explosive Engineers (ISEE), both for sensor specifications and expected accuracy. 

• (INSTITUT) ISEE Field Practice Guidelines for Blasting Seismographs
• (INSTITUT) ISEE Performance Specifications for Blasting Seismographs — view PDF 

Although not explicitly stated in the standard, following good practices ensures that measured data will be of the highest quality and carried out in accordance with the rules of the trade.

All data associated with monitoring blast activities must be recorded in a register, be kept for at least 5 years , and made available to the Ministères in the event of an audit or inspection.

If a blast results in a particle velocity, air overpressure thresholds have been exceeded, or in projections off the mine site, the operator must inform the Ministry without delay and implement the necessary corrective measures.

Social Acceptance: A Key Element of Directive 019

With its 2025 version, Directive 019 seems to aim its focus on giving local communities a more important role when it comes to mining projects. Features include:

• Greater transparency for the public, with the introduction of the Noise Complaints Register and the addition of a communication program, in the event of blasting.
• Stricter requirements regarding controlling noise and vibration pollution to promote social acceptance and cohabitation with neighbouring communities.
• Accountability of mining operators, who must maintain proof of compliance, by retaining measured data over several years.

Ultimately, this focus aims to develop a climate of trust between the mining industry and local communities, thus promoting social acceptance. Although the 2025 version of the MELCCFP Directive addresses social acceptance more explicitly than before, this is an issue that Soft dB is very familiar with in terms of noise and vibration.

Summary of Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 Edition of Directive 019 on Noise and Vibration

The key takeaway points of the MELCCFP Directive 019 - Version 2025:

• Noise assessment distance has been extended to 1 km.
• Noise and vibration monitoring is needed at every stage of the mining cycle.
• Extended data retention period: 5 years (instead of 2).
• A mandatory public communication program (vibration) and proactive complaint management (noise).
• A uniform maximum vibration velocity limit of 12.7 mm/s, measured at the point of impact, regardless of distance or type of mining activity.
• The obligation to install at least one measuring station in close proximity to the nearest fixed dwelling to the mine site, even if outside the 1 km perimeter, in order to adequately measure the impact of blasting. When the nearest points of impact are outside the area affected by blasting, it is possible to submit a request for exemption to the Ministry.

Although these requirements may seem restrictive, they reinforce the goal of improved cohabitation between the mining industry and neighbouring communities. Companies prepared to comply with these new standards demonstrate their environmental and social commitment, which in turn ensures greater long-term acceptance. If you find the new version of Directive 019 complex, our experts in acoustics and vibration are here to help.

As each project is unique, it's important to stress that this page is not a substitute for a full analysis of the official document, nor for professional advice tailored to each context.