Junior Exploration Assistance Program

Q: How much funding can be received?

Junior Exploration Assistance Program Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $225000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Junior Exploration Assistance Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Junior Exploration Assistance Program is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program?

Junior Exploration Assistance Program is funded by Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Industry, Energy and Technology (NL)

Q: Who is eligible for the Junior Exploration Assistance Program program?

To be eligible for the Junior Exploration Assistance Program program, you must: • Companies must be primarily engaged in mineral exploration and/or mining. • Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent adhering to the JEA Guidelines. • Projects must be executed within Newfoundland and Labrador.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Junior Exploration Assistance Program?

You can contact Government of Newfoundland and Labrador by email at MineralIncentive@gov.nl.ca.

Q: Where is the Junior Exploration Assistance Program available?

The Junior Exploration Assistance Program program is available the province of NL.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

NL, Canada

Money for the discovery of new mineral districts in Newfoundland and Labrador

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $225,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

Financial support of up to $225,000 per project for mineral exploration and/or mining.

Financing terms and conditions

The Junior Exploration Assistance Program offers a structured framework of financing modalities designed to support mineral exploration projects through strategic rebates. These modalities aim to accommodate various project needs within Newfoundland and Labrador.

Funding is allocated in the form of rebates for eligible exploration activities.
Rebates cover 40 – 75% of approved exploration costs, with a cap of $150,000 per project in Newfoundland and $225,000 in Labrador.
Funding is distributed in the following order: Critical Mineral Assistance (CMA), Provincial Critical Mineral Assistance (PCMA), and Provincial Grant funds.
Rebate amounts are subject to pro-rata adjustments if the program is oversubscribed.
Final rebate payments are contingent upon the submission of a satisfactory final report and supporting documentation.

Activities funded

The Junior Exploration Assistance Program supports activities aimed at increasing the mineral inventory and advancing mineral exploration within Newfoundland and Labrador. Eligible projects involve exploring and defining new mineral districts, prospects, and deposits.

Exploration of new mineral districts in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Discovery and documentation of new mineral occurrences and prospects.
Advancing mineral discoveries to define NI 43-101 compliant resources.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 195,000

Geophysical surveys and borehole surveying at a mineral exploration site

$ 225,000

Surface and underground bulk sampling for nickel exploration in St John's

$ 225,000

Drilling and geological mapping of an undeveloped mineral site near Thunder Bay

$ 155,000

Till and soil sampling to identify mineral prospects

$ 225,000

Surface and underground bulk hard rock sampling in a potential gold mine near Sudbury

Eligibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the company's engagement in mineral exploration and compliance with provincial regulations.

The company must be primarily engaged in mineral exploration.
The company can be in receipt of direct and/or indirect revenues from mineral/mining operations.
Exploration activities conducted on Mining Leases with active operations are ineligible.
The company must be registered with the Provincial Registry of Companies and in good standing.
The company must have a Supplier Number from the Department of Finance, Financial Systems Control Division.
The company must hold the mineral rights to the lands on which the exploration is to be conducted or have a registered agreement with the holder of the mineral rights on file with the Mineral Lands Division.
The company must have received Exploration Approval or a Letter of Acceptance from the Mineral Lands Division before the start of exploration activities.

Who is eligible?

This grant targets companies or industries primarily engaged in mineral exploration and mining in Newfoundland and Labrador. Eligible organizations must meet specific criteria regarding their activities and registration status.

Companies involved in mineral exploration or mining operations.
Applicants can be receiving direct or indirect revenues from mineral/mining operations.
Companies must be registered to conduct business in Newfoundland and Labrador and be "In Good Standing" with the Provincial Registry of Companies.
Companies must hold mineral rights or have registered agreements with mineral rights holders.
Applicants need to have received Exploration Approval or a Letter of Acceptance from the Mineral Lands Division, if applicable.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies based on their main activities or specific conditions related to their operational base. The restrictions ensure that assistance is provided primarily to companies focused on exploration rather than operational mining activities.

Companies conducting exploration activities on mining leases with active operations.
Companies not in good standing with the Provincial Registry of Companies.
Projects that generate revenue from bulk samples collected.
Projects that fail to notify the exact program start date within the specified notice period.
Companies, projects, or members that derive financial advantage through political positions in the Senate, House of Commons, or House of Assembly.

Eligible expenses

The Junior Exploration Assistance (JEA) grant supports mineral exploration initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador. It focuses on exploration activities that directly contribute to the discovery and development of mineral resources in the province.

Qualified Person services for project field supervision and/or completion of eligible exploration activities and final report writing.
Surface drilling, underground core drilling, and other drilling activities including associated labor and core sampling.
Borehole surveys such as electromagnetic, radiometric, and televiewer, conducted by contractors or in-house personnel.
Surface and underground bulk hard rock sampling without revenue generation from collected samples.
Property-scale prospecting, geological mapping, bio-geochemical sampling, soil, till, and lake sediment sampling, and trenching.
Ground geophysical surveys aimed at mineral discovery.

Eligible geographic areas

The Junior Exploration Assistance Program specifically supports projects within Newfoundland and Labrador. This regional focus aims to bolster the province's mineral exploration activities and enhance its attractiveness as a top-tier exploration destination.

Projects on the island of Newfoundland.
Projects based in Labrador.

Selection criteria

JEA grants are evaluated based on exploration activities supporting mineral discoveries. Eligibility includes companies engaged in mineral exploration or mining to enhance competitiveness in exploration.

Exploration activities supporting mineral discoveries
Engagement in mineral exploration or mining
Enhancing competitiveness in exploration

How to apply

Review JEA Guidelines

Download and thoroughly review the JEA 2024 Guidelines to understand the eligibility criteria and funding details.
Check the FAQs section for possible funding scenarios and additional information.

Prepare Letter of Intent (LOI)

Complete the JEA 2024 Letter of Intent Form by detailing your proposed exploration activities.
Ensure the LOI is submitted no later than June 21, 2024.
If multiple properties are involved, submit a separate LOI for each, indicating the order of preference.

Ensure Eligibility and Registration

Verify that your company is registered with the Provincial Registry of Companies and "In Good Standing."
Obtain a Supplier Number from the Department of Finance, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Ensure Exploration Approval or a Letter of Acceptance is obtained before starting exploration activities.
Hold the mineral rights or have a registered agreement with the mineral rights holder.

Notification and Confirmation

Upon submitting the LOI, await a response letter from the IET confirming eligibility by July 12, 2024.
If necessary, address eligibility assessment disagreements by July 19, 2024.
On July 26, 2024, check the list of submitted LOIs and proposed budgets on the Department's website.

Submit Technical Report

After completing exploration activities, prepare and submit a comprehensive Technical Report by January 31, 2025.
Ensure all required technical and financial information is included to substantiate the request for funding.
Address any identified deficiencies within five days upon request during the review process.

Final Submission

Send all correspondence including LOIs, Technical Reports, and inquiries to MineralIncentive@gov.nl.ca.
Ensure compliance with all program conditions and acknowledgment requirements in public materials about the project.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The total funding available through JEA is $3.9 million for 2024, with separate allocations for different types of exploration projects.
Rebates can cover 40-75% of approved exploration costs, depending on the project location and eligibility, with $150,000 maximum per project on Newfoundland and $225,000 for Labrador.
If oversubscribed, rebates will be prorated among eligible projects based on actual expenditures.
Critical mineral projects can receive funding from CMA and/or PCMA before accessing the provincial grant funds.
A timely submission of the Letter of Intent is crucial, as only the first received will be considered and additional submissions will follow once first preferences are funded.
Final payment of rebates is contingent upon submission of a satisfactory final report adhering to the program guidelines.

Contacts

MineralIncentive@gov.nl.ca

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Junior Exploration Assistance Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Junior Exploration Assistance Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.