Regulations are being developed to bring the NWT Mineral Resources Act (MRA) into effect, and your input is needed. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)  is gathering public feedback on the detailed policy intentions, and this round of engagements covers online map staking, blackout period, and temporary restricted areas.

This is the final of four engagements about the MRA Regulations policy intentions which began in 2025.  The full list of engagements include:

• Engagement 1: October 29, 2025 to December 3, 2025 - Mineral resources administration policy, drill cores, and removal of minerals policy.
• Engagement 2: November 7, 2025 to  December 5, 2025 - Benefit Agreements, and socio-economic policy.
• Engagement 3: December 10, 2025 to January 12, 2026 - Mineral Rights Review Board, and transition of existing mineral interests.
• Engagement 4: June 18, 2026 to July 17, 2026 - Online Map Staking, Blackout Period, And Temporary Restricted Areas. This is the current engagement.

The policy intentions are designed to be technical yet accessible, with line-by-line summaries and explanations. Transparency ensures concerns and recommendations can be meaningfully considered.

Providing your feedback on policy intentions is a great way to inform the regulatory framework before we reach finishing steps for the proposed regulations. All feedback will be considered within the collaborative development review process for this legislation.

The MRA and its regulations will modernize the regulatory environment for mineral exploration, development and production in the Northwest Territories (NWT). This will improve many aspects of the management of mineral rights in the NWT and evolve relationships and collaboration with Indigenous governments and organizations.

The GNWT invites NWT residents to provide feedback about this phase of the policy intention through the GNWT’s Have Your Say portal by July 17, 2026.

Related Links:

• Engagement 1: October 29, 2025 to December 3, 2025 - Mineral resources administration policy, drill cores, and removal of minerals policy.
• Engagement 2: November 7, 2025 to  December 5, 2025 - Benefit Agreements, and socio-economic policy.
• Engagement 3: December 10, 2025 to January 12, 2026 - Mineral Rights Review Board, and transition of existing mineral interests.

For media requests, please contact:
ITI Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
ITIcommunications@gov.nt.ca
867-767-9202 ext. 63038