Junior Mining Assistance Program (NBJMAP)

The New Brunswick Junior Mining Assistance Program (NBJMAP):

• is a financial assistance program for private-sector mineral exploration companies;
• provides up to 50% of approved eligible costs for mineral exploration projects, individual grants will not exceed $50,000;
• is intended to increase the probability of finding economically viable mineral resources in New Brunswick.
   

Any private or publicly traded mineral exploration company is eligible for the program, providing:

• it holds the mineral rights, or an option agreement, to the property named in the application
• it does not have a self-sustained cash flow from mining operations
• it has fulfilled all commitments related to previous funding from the province
• its principal business is mineral exploration and/or development
• must be registered with the New Brunswick Corporate Registry to carry out work in New Brunswick.

Please take note that the Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of New Brunswick (APEGNB) is reminding applicants that any individual or firm carrying out the practice of geoscience in New Brunswick must be licensed with APEGNB (www.apegnb.com) [Refer to Section 9 of the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act (https://canlii.ca/t/539h9)].

Any questions or concerns regarding status with APEGNB or with the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act should be directed to APEGNB.
 

Eligible pre-approved work may include, but is not restricted to, the following:

• drilling for exploration purposes;
• trenching;
• geological, geochemical and geophysical surveys;
• bulk sampling and metallurgical testing; 
• analytical services from an accredited commercial laboratory
• pXRF analyses will be accepted at a cost of $10 per sample if analytical protocols are provided (including certified reference materials, duplicate samples, blanks and calibration measurements) where applicable
• hiring geological consultants to work on the project provided there are no staff geologists, or there is a subject expert needed on the proposed project (does not include consultant expenses such as lodging, meals, travel, etc.) 
• student wages for university or college student(s) studying geoscience/mining technology up to 10% of grant total (some conditions apply.)
   

Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to, in-house expenses such as:

• transportation costs
• accommodations and meals
• office expenses
• vehicle rental(s)
• field camp rental
• wages(s) of company personnel (with the exception of students – some conditions apply)
• project planning
   

To apply for funding under the NBJMAP program:

• The application form (available on our website April 1- April 30, 2024), must be completed and include the following:
  • the history of land tenure and mineral exploration on the mineral prospect
  • a detailed description of planned exploration work
  • geological map
  • geological model
  • maps showing the location of proposed work
  • details of proposed expenditures

• Submit the completed application form (digital format preferred) to:
  
  Exploration Assistance Program Coordinator
  Geological Surveys Branch, DNRED
  2574 Route 180
  South Tetagouche, NB E2A 7B8
  Telephone: 506-547-2070
  Email: [email protected]

The applicant’s name and email address provided on the application form will be the sole contact person regarding the application and the person responsible for carrying out the terms and conditions of the contract.
 

• A review committee, consisting of representatives from the Geological Surveys Branch evaluates all applications.
• The committee evaluates applications based upon:
  • the geological potential of the area; and
  • the quality and merit of the proposal.
• Applications for funding on more than one project area will be considered, however each project area requires a separate application form.

Please note: Claim blocks awarded NBJMAP funding will not be considered for NBPAP funding.
 

When an application has been approved, the applicant may enter into a contract with the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development, and this contract will govern such items as:

• eligible costs;
• timing of payments; and
• authorized changes to an original work proposal.
   

• The report shall follow the same format as a Report of Work for a mineral claim and in accordance with Schedule “C” of the NBJMAP contract.
• Receipts (proof of payment) and invoices for all eligible and approved expenditures are required and must be submitted with the final report. Only expenditures incurred during the program effective dates will be accepted (April 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025). All eligible expenses are exclusive of GST and HST.
• Digital format is mandatory. Due to provincial government computer network security protocols, commercial data sharing applications are not supported by GNB. Maximum file size accepted by email is 30 MB. Please make arrangements with the Program Coordinator to submit reports/data files that exceed the 30 MB email limit.

• Exploration activities must be conducted inaccordance with the terms and conditions of the funding approval in Schedule “B” of the NBJMAP contract. The Program Coordinator must pre-approve any changes to the exploration activities approved in the contract on or before December 31, 2024. Failure to notify the Program Coordinator will result in funding being limited to only those activities described in Schedule “B” of the NBJMAP contract. If exploration approval was not in place and/or the terms of the approval not met, funding may be denied.
     
• Before undertaking exploration work, a right holder is required to notify appropriate parties. Notifications Required Prior to Performing Exploration Work and General Prospecting (see enclosed link) provides contact information for various prospecting activities and a list of forms to use. Land Access and Use (gnb.ca)
    
• The final report will be held confidential for a 2-year period.
    
• Unexpended or uncommitted funds must be returned to the Province by March 31, 2025. Dispersed funds for which receipts of approved exploration expenditures have not been received will be subject to invoicing with accumulating interest (unless alternate arrangements are made with the Program Coordinator). Funding assistance applications under NBJMAP filed by applicants that have not fulfilled all prior commitments under the New Brunswick grant programs, will not be considered for further funding. 
    
• In the event that you are unable to fulfill your contractual obligations under NBJMAP, and anticipate unexpended funds, please contact the Program Coordinator as soon as possible so that NBJMAP funding can be re-allocated to other projects. Re-allocation of funding to other projects will be considered up until December 31, 2024.