Prospector Assistance
Prospectors Assistance (PA) provides direct financial support and training to individuals who want to conduct mineral exploration in the Province. PA is designed to encourage and promote development of the mineral-prospecting industry through the discovery of wealth-generating mineral deposits. PA is comprised of two components: Prospectors Assistance Grants and Prospector Training.
Prospecting Assistance Grants
Direct financial assistance is provided to eligible residents who are at least 19 years of age and involved in independent mineral exploration activities. Approved projects on crown land or the proponents’ registered claims are supported by grants of up to $6,000 for traditional and grass-roots prospecting. Up to a maximum of $6,000 is also available for air (float plane or helicopter) support to access remote properties. Assistance to a maximum of $12,000.00 may be available for projects considered to be at an “advanced” stage.
Mineral exploration and prospecting involves high-risk investment. Prospecting requires geochemical, geophysical, and other geo-technical support which is expensive but essential, and the prospector’s chance of financial return is low. PA grants help to offset the cost of these activities. The prospectors are also supported by field visits and guidance from the program manager, as well as other departmental personnel. Sixty percent of the grant is paid in advance and the remainder is paid upon satisfactory completion of the project and submission of an approved final report.
The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology considers PA grants very successful and fundamental in providing a basis for future mineral development. Any mineral prospects that develop to production have a positive, “real wealth” effect on the provincial economy.
A listing of PA Grant recipients and final payment amounts will be updated annually. Final payment of grants will be as outlined in the contribution agreement and is dependent on submission of a satisfactory final report and the program being carried out as described in the approved application for funding.
- Prospector Assistance Grant Recipients for 2016-17 (25 KB)
- Prospector Assistance Grant Recipients for 2017-18 (48 KB)
- Prospector Assistance Grant Recipients for 2018-19 (95 KB)
- Prospector Assistance Grant Recipients for 2019-2020 (424 KB)
- Prospector Assistance Grant Recipients for 2020-2021 (445 KB)
- Prospector Assistance Grant Recipients for 2021-2022 (118 KB)
- Prospector Assistance Grant Recipients for 2022 – 2023 (452 KB)
- Prospector Assistance Grant Recipients for 2023 – 2024 (1 MB)
Prospector Assistance Documentation
NOTE: Submission of Prospector Applications and Final Reports are to be made to MineralIncentive@gov.nl.ca
Note: all links below are PDFs and will open in a new window.
- PA 2024 Operational Guidelines (1 MB)
- PA 2024 Application Form Guide (1MB)
- PA 2024 Application Form (4MB)
- Sample Exploration Work Plan Regular Grant (1 MB)
- Sample Exploration Work Plan Advanced Grant (1 MB)
- Sample Information Table (2 MB)
- PA 2023 Final Report Form (4 MB)
- PA 2023 Final Report Form Guide (801 KB)
Other Helpful Prospector Forms
- Specified Help Declaration Form (2 MB)
- Supplier Setup & Maintenance Form
- Sample of Property Ownership Agreement (208 KB)
- Planned Exploration Work for Prospecting, Geochemical Sampling and/or Ground-Based Geophysical Surveying (731 KB)
- Application for Exploration Approval (875 KB)
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