Closed
Mineral Exploration Support Program For Critical And Strategic Minerals
Supports critical minerals exploration projects in Quebec
Last Update: June 10, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000 - $ 400,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
This program supported critical and strategic minerals exploration in Quebec. It funded geometallurgical, geoenvironmental, drilling, and bulk sampling work to advance projects toward development.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 400,000 $
- Minimum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Preliminary economic studies for mineral exploration projects
- Geometallurgical work and testing
- Geoenvironmental work and testing
- Oversized drilling and bulk sampling for sampling purposes
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Official letter authorizing the respondent to apply, if applicable
- Project perimeter shapefile
- Mineral rights shapefile and location maps
- Supporting documents and work quotations
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Mining exploration companies registered in Quebec
- Indigenous mining funds
Who is not eligible
- Quebec government departments and budget-funded bodies
- Companies registered in the Register of Enterprises Not Eligible for Public Contracts (RENA)
- Entities that are insolvent, bankrupt, or under a proposal
- Entities that failed to meet obligations under previous Quebec government assistance
Eligible expenses
- External professional fees
- Internal wages and benefits
- Purchase or rental of materials, equipment, and supplies
- Analyses and tests
- Travel expenses and equipment or software acquisition or leasing
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs incurred before the application date
- Sponsorships and construction work
- Work performed by subcontractors registered in the RENA
- Taxes such as GST, QST, and income taxes
- Unjustified or unreasonable expenses
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Selection criteria
- Economic development component: 20%
- Technical component of the project: 50%
- Corporate component: 30%
- Minimum passing mark: 70%
How to apply
- Step 1: Complete the application form
- Fill out the project request form.
- Attach the required supporting documents listed in the form.
- Step 2: Prepare the file
- Include the project perimeter and mineral rights shapefiles.
- Attach location maps and work descriptions.
- Step 3: Submit the application
- Send the signed form and documents by email to services.mines@mrnf.gouv.qc.ca.
- Step 4: Wait for review and decision
- The MRNF confirms receipt and reviews admissibility.
- Eligible files are evaluated by a committee and the decision is sent in writing.
Processing and Agreement
- The MRNF sends an acknowledgement of receipt when the application is submitted.
- Eligible applications are reviewed by an evaluation committee.
- The MRNF notifies the applicant of the decision in writing.
- If approved, a grant agreement must be signed before funding is granted.
Additional information
- The program is closed and ended on March 31, 2025.
- Each new application had to concern a distinct project.
- A grant agreement had to be signed before funding was paid.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mineral Exploration Support Program For Critical And Strategic Minerals Program
What is the Mineral Exploration Support Program For Critical And Strategic Minerals?
This program supported critical and strategic minerals exploration in Quebec. It funded geometallurgical, geoenvironmental, drilling, and bulk sampling work to advance projects toward development.
How much funding can be received?
Mineral Exploration Support Program For Critical And Strategic Minerals Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $400,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Mineral Exploration Support Program For Critical And Strategic Minerals program?
To be eligible for the Mineral Exploration Support Program For Critical And Strategic Minerals program, you must:
Project must be in Quebec
Linked to critical and strategic minerals
Related to geometallurgical or geoenvironmental work
What expenses are eligible under Mineral Exploration Support Program For Critical And Strategic Minerals?
Preliminary economic studies for mineral exploration projects
Geometallurgical work and testing
Geoenvironmental work and testing
Oversized drilling and bulk sampling for sampling purposes
Who can I contact for more information about the Mineral Exploration Support Program For Critical And Strategic Minerals?
You can contact Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF) by email at services.mines@mrnf.gouv.qc.ca or by phone at 418 627-6292.
Where is the Mineral Exploration Support Program For Critical And Strategic Minerals available?
The Mineral Exploration Support Program For Critical And Strategic Minerals program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Mineral Exploration Support Program For Critical And Strategic Minerals a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Mineral Exploration Support Program For Critical And Strategic Minerals is a Grant and Funding