The Canadian Securities Administrators has improved the rules for mining disclosure to help mining issuers cut compliance costs while maintaining investor confidence in the disclosure across Canada.

Today, the CSA published new versions of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and Form 43-101F1 Technical Report that will replace the rules for mining disclosure that have been in effect since Feb. 1, 2001.

The Companion Policy 43-101CP, which includes explanations, discussion and examples on how the CSA will interpret and apply the instrument, will also be replaced.

The amendments reflect changes that have occurred in the mining industry since the sclosure rules were put in place in 2001.

In a release, the CSA said the amendments simplify the drafting, provide exemptions in specified circumstances and generally make the current NI 43-101 more user-friendly and practical.

The changes come after the proposed amendments were published publicly in late-2004 with more than 60 submissions received from 58 commenters during the comment period.

The changed rules are expected to come in force in every province and territory across Canada on Dec. 30, 2005, subject to ministerial approvals where required.