The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is updating the Mining Incentive Program (MIP) to better support mineral exploration across the territory. Announced at PDAC 2026, the $500,000 lifetime funding cap for corporate projects will be conditionally removed, while maintaining annual funding limits and the program’s competitive, merit-based structure.
The change responds directly to feedback from exploration companies and reflects current conditions in the mineral exploration sector, where rising costs and longer project timelines are making it increasingly difficult to advance multi-year programs. The update is intended to provide greater stability and flexibility for high-potential projects, including those focused on critical minerals, at a pivotal time for the Northwest Territories’ non-renewable resource sector.
Delivered through the Northwest Territories Geological Survey (NTGS), the Mining Incentive Program provides funding to prospectors and exploration companies to help advance mineral exploration in the Northwest Territories. Since 2014, the program has supported dozens of projects and generated valuable public geoscience data, which becomes publicly available after a three-year confidentiality period, strengthening the territory’s overall investment climate.
Removing the lifetime funding cap does not mean unlimited funding. Annual program funding levels remain unchanged, and all applications will continue to be evaluated through a rigorous, transparent scoring process. The program will remain competitive and merit-based, with funding decisions grounded in technical merit, project quality, and potential economic benefits to the territory.
Under the updated approach, projects that rank within the top 30 percent of applications received in a given year will be eligible to exceed $500,000 in cumulative funding. Once a project surpasses the $500,000 threshold, applicants will be limited to two funded projects at any one time. The annual corporate funding cap will remain at $240,000 per project, covering up to 60 percent of eligible costs.
These updates ensure the GNWT is using the tools available to help promising projects continue moving forward, keep momentum in the exploration pipeline, and position the Northwest Territories to capture emerging opportunities in the global minerals sector.
Visit the Mining Incentive Program website for more information.
Quote:
“The Mining Incentive Program plays an important role in supporting the next generation of exploration and mining projects in the Northwest Territories. These updates provide greater stability and flexibility for companies advancing high-potential projects, including critical minerals, at a time when the sector is under real pressure.
This is about making sure strong projects do not stall because of structural limits in our programs. The Northwest Territories has vast mineral potential, and our government is focused on doing what we can, within our authorities, to keep momentum going, strengthen our resource economy, and create new opportunities for Northerners.”
- Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment
Quick facts
- The Mining Incentive Program provides up to $240,000 per year for corporate exploration projects, covering up to 60 percent of eligible costs.
- Several advanced NWT exploration projects have reached or are nearing the previous $500,000 lifetime funding cap, creating challenges for multi-year exploration work.
- The Mining Incentive Program has an annual budget of $1,500,000.
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For media requests, please contact:
Industry, Tourism and Investment Communications
ITICommunications@gov.nt.ca
(867) 767-9202 Ext. 63038