Junior Exploration Assistance Program
NL, Canada
Money for the discovery of new mineral districts in Newfoundland and Labrador
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Department of Industry, Energy and Technology (NL)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
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Financial support of up to $225,000 per project for mineral exploration and/or mining.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to companies operating within the specific regions of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Eligible areas are distinguished between Newfoundland and Labrador to determine maximum grant funding limits based on geographical location.
- Projects located on the Island of Newfoundland.
- Projects based in the region of Labrador.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$225,000
Surface and underground bulk sampling for nickel exploration in St John's
$195,000
Geophysical surveys and borehole surveying at a mineral exploration site
$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
grant_single_labels|admissibility
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible exploration activities and associated expenditures for this grant encompass a range of costs related to mineral exploration projects.
- Professional services expenditures must be supported by deliverables such as reports and certificates of analysis.
- Documentation proving expense incurrence and payment like invoices and cleared checks are necessary.
- Services of one Qualified Person meeting NI 43-101 standards and licensed in Newfoundland and Labrador, excluding company directors or officers, or individual applicants.
- Travel costs for a Qualified Person's round trip to Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Costs related to surface or underground drilling, including contractor invoices, direct labour wages, and equipment rental.
- Borehole surveys costs by contractors or through rental of survey equipment.
- Bulk hard rock sampling costs, excluding samples for revenue generation.
- Prospecting, mapping, sampling, and trenching costs, including contractor invoices, travel, vehicle rentals, onsite accommodation, meal expenses, and necessary supplies.
- Geochemical analysis of samples and field support by aircraft, including associated fuel costs.
grant_single_labels|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
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: 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.
- Step 2: 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.
- Step 3: 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.
- Step 4: 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.
- Step 5: 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.
- Step 6: 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.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
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.
grant_single_labels|contact
MineralIncentive@gov.nl.ca
Apply to this program
Junior Exploration Assistance Offers Enhanced Funding for Critical Mineral Exploration in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Junior Exploration Assistance (JEA) program provides financial rebates for mineral exploration projects aimed at discovering new mineral resources and enhancing competitive exploration activities in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2024, the initiative introduces the Provincial Critical Mineral Assistance (PCMA) to support critical mineral exploration, alongside existing contributions, to further bolster mining opportunities in the region.
Detailed Insights into the Junior Exploration Assistance Program and New Provisions for 2024
The Junior Exploration Assistance (JEA) program is a strategic initiative aimed at fostering the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador's mineral inventory through comprehensive exploration activities. The program is crucial in discovering new mineral districts, occurrences, prospects, and deposits. It plays a vital role in advancing these discoveries to define resources compliant with the National Instrument (NI) 43-101 standards, thereby enhancing the region's reputation as a leading mineral exploration destination globally.
For the 2024 fiscal year, JEA's funding structure has been significantly enriched. Historically underpinned by a $1.3 million Provincial Grant, the program now integrates additional funding through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the recently introduced Provincial Critical Mineral Assistance (PCMA), effectively tripling the available financial support for exploration endeavors to $3.9 million. This expansion is poised to particularly benefit projects focused on critical minerals, crucial for economic and technological advancements in Canada.
The JEA funding scheme is tailored to provide rebates for eligible exploration activities, with the potential to cover 40% to 75% of exploration costs, contingent upon project location and nature. Specifically, companies can receive up to $150,000 for projects conducted on the Island of Newfoundland and up to $225,000 for those in Labrador. This structuring ensures substantial support for both grassroots and non-grassroots exploration activities, ranging from geochemical surveys to complex core drilling operations.
The introduction of PCMA funding reflects a forward-thinking approach by the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology (IET), channeling an additional $1.3 million focused on critical mineral exploration. This aligns with Newfoundland & Labrador's strategic list of critical minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, aiming to bolster the province's resource base in alignment with federal and provincial economic policies. Notably, this addition dovetails with the CMA funding, further accentuating support for projects identifying critical minerals as either primary or secondary exploration targets.
The eligibility framework for applicants remains rigorous, ensuring that only qualified entities advancing sincere exploration projects benefit from the funding. Companies must uphold specific operational and legal prerequisites, such as being registered in the Provincial Registry of Companies and maintaining mineral rights or agreements duly recorded with provincial authorities. Additionally, eligible exploration expenses exclude administrative costs and government dues, focusing instead on direct exploration activities such as fieldwork and technical reporting.
Moreover, the JEA's progressive funding strategy allows flexibility and adaptive financial support based on the prorated assessment if applications exceed budget allocations, ensuring fair access to all eligible participants. This adaptive mechanism guarantees that the maximum effective support is provided to as many projects as possible without exceeding capped funding levels.
Overall, the enhancements to the JEA program for 2024 not only solidify Newfoundland and Labrador's position as a potent player in the global mineral exploration field but also significantly contribute to national goals of securing critical minerals essential for modern industries. Stakeholders engaging with the JEA are poised to greatly benefit from this robust and strategically aligned funding model, driving innovation and resource discovery in the province.
