The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released an updated assessment of mineral potential across the eastern Northwest Territories, specific to the area known as the Slave Geological Province. This study provides a modern, data-rich picture of the region’s mineral potential with a focus on critical minerals that are central to Canada’s economic growth, energy transition, and supply chain security.
The 2025 Mineral Potential Study: Slave Geological Province & Surrounds, NWT, Canada, completed by Aurora Geosciences Ltd., combines new industry-generated data with earlier assessments from 2015 and 2019. The study uses enhanced datasets and analytical methods to generate high-resolution mineral potential “heat maps,” which can be used to inform exploration planning, investment decisions, and long-term strategic planning across the territory.
The updated assessment confirms that the Slave Geological Province remains one of Canada’s most abundant regions for mineral exploration and development, with broad potential for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, copper, and zinc, alongside well-established potential for gold and diamonds. In total, 1,721 mineral showings containing 19 different critical minerals were evaluated, including 116 showings not captured in previous assessments. These findings are crucial at a time when the Northwest Territories’ resource sector is under real pressure and new opportunities for Northerners matter more than ever.
This Mineral Potential Study provides data that strengthens the case for strategic infrastructure projects in the Northwest Territories, specifically the proposed Arctic Economic and Security Corridor (AESC) and the Taltson Hydroelectric Expansion. These projects will increase accessibility to the Slave Geologic Province for exploration and resource companies and will support increased energy demand from future projects in the area. These infrastructure upgrades improve safety, reliability and affordability of energy and transportation for industry, and reduce the cost of operating and of moving people, goods and equipment. Each project is a necessary enabler to making future mineral projects more viable, while also creating the conditions for responsible growth, strong Indigenous partnerships and long-term economic opportunity across the North.
Advancements in data confirming the presence of minerals, including how much and where, further the proof of concept for strategic infrastructure projects. It lowers risk for industry and government to invest and support projects, as it demonstrates a return on investment.
Advancing this potential will continue to rely on the Northwest Territories’ co-management system, which is grounded in modern treaties and remains central to ensuring development proceeds responsibly and in partnership with Indigenous governments. The updated mineral potential maps, including a dedicated Critical Minerals Potential Map, are publicly available and provide industry, Indigenous governments, and decision-makers with high-value geological intelligence to support evidence-based land use planning, infrastructure development, and investment attraction.
Quotes:
“The new Mineral Potential Study report deepens our understanding of the untapped resources located throughout the eastern Northwest Territories – including the presence of 19 of the 34 minerals on Canada’s list of minerals critical to the economic success of Canada and its allies. Improving geological knowledge is part of the suite of government actions to create the right conditions for responsible development, turning mineral potential into new opportunities for Northerners.”
— Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment
“This updated mineral potential assessment reinforces what we have long known: the Northwest Territories holds immense strategic value for Canada’s future. But geology alone does not create prosperity. Strategic infrastructure, clean energy, and strong Indigenous partnerships are what turn mineral potential into real projects, real jobs, and long-term economic security."
— Caroline Wawzonek, Minister Responsible for Strategic Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains
Quick facts
- The 2025 Mineral Potential Study refreshes earlier assessments with updated geological and geophysical datasets and enhanced analytical methods.
- The study evaluated 1,721 mineral showings containing 19 different critical minerals, including 116 showings not captured in previous assessments.
- The Slave Province is a geological formation that lies between Great Slave Lake and Coronation Gulf. The area contains some of the oldest known igneous and metamorphic rocks on Earth, and has a long history of mining. It shows broad potential for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, copper, and zinc, alongside established potential for gold and diamonds.
- Critical minerals receive increased weighting in the updated methodology to reflect growing global demand.
- The Mineral Potential Study is a planning and investment tool and does not replace regulatory processes, co-management decision-making, or environmental assessment requirements.
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