Junior Exploration Assistance Program

Who is eligible?

• 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.

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.