New Brunswick Prospector Assistance Program (NBPAP)

NBPAP is a financial assistance program offered by the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development (DNRED). The program is for prospectors searching for metallic or industrial minerals (except aggregates) in the province, who may receive:

• up to a maximum of $5,000 if the prospector does not have mineral claims at the time of application
• up to a maximum of $15,000 if the prospector has existing mineral claims at the time of application
• first time applicants generally receive a maximum of $1,000.
  
  

To be eligible for the program, you must have:

• a valid New Brunswick prospector’s license
• be at least 19 years of age
• fulfilled all commitments related to previous exploration assistance funding from the department
• if applying for funding on existing mineral claims, the applicant must be the registered holder of the claim block(s)

Applicants may apply for funding on multiple claim blocks; however, the applicant must be the registered holder of each of the claim blocks listed in the application. The work proposed for each property must be described separately in the application form. No more than one applicant can apply for funding on a particular claim block. 
 

To apply for a NBPAP grant:

• Complete the application form, including your:
  • contact information;
  • prospecting experience;
  • work location; and
  • work proposal.
• Submit the completed application form, on or before April 30, 2024 (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]

Acceptable expenditures include: assaying, sampling, trenching, consumable items, equipment rentals, professional geophysical or geochemical services, Prospector’s Exchange expenses (at the Exploration, Mining and Petroleum conference) and any other related ground work. Related ground work shall be defined as anything that provides geological information about the area being explored, e.g. geophysics, etc.

Most prospecting costs are eligible including the following:

• Travel allowance of 57¢ per kilometre, cannot exceed 50% of approved expenditures (not grant total) up to a maximum of $3000 (only in-province travel accepted).
• Sample administration costs of $10 per sample (rock, silt, soil, vegetation, water) providing:
  • the samples are analyzed;
  • sample locations are reported, and
  • analytical results are submitted.
• All analytical costs from accredited laboratories, if accompanied by receipts and sample locations are reported.
• Shipping costs for sample analysis.
• Trenching costs on mineral claims but not drilling costs (unless approved by the Program Coordinator).
• Professional services from accredited geophysical contractors (if approved by the Program Coordinator).
• Up to 5 % of grant total (to a maximum $300) for consumable items, such as sample bags, flagging tape, some office supplies, maps, insect repellant, sunscreen, etc. (at the discretion of the Program Coordinator). Receipts are required. 
• Rental of sampling or geophysical surveying equipment (if approved by the Program Coordinator).
• Up to 50% of the cost of a GPS, to a maximum of $250 (one time only).
• Those NBPAP recipients who register for the "Prospector’s Exchange" (Core Shack at the EMP conference) and present results of work (e. g. a poster display) may claim up to a maximum of $600. Eligible Prospector’s Exchange expenses include: meals and mileage as per provincial government per diem (receipts not required), EMP conference registration fees (receipts required), and accommodations (receipts required).

To claim your travel expenses, please use the travel log form. Note: Only in-province travel accepted.
 

Examples of ineligible expenses (if in doubt, contact the Program Coordinator):

• Wages and capital expenses
• Meal allowance as a prospecting cost
• Report writing
• Claim staking or other mineral claim management costs (NB e-Claims fees.)
   

NBPAP applications are:

• evaluated by a review committee, consisting of representatives from the Geological Surveys Branch
• the committee evaluates applications based upon:
  • the quality and merit of the proposal;
  • the potential of the work performed to enhance the level of interest in the property; and
  • the applicant's ability to complete the project

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

When an application has been approved, the applicant will receive:

• first installment of funding equal to 35% of the total grant;
• second installment of 35% of the total grant upon receipt of the following information:
  • a statement of eligible costs incurred and paid by the recipient (these costs must equal at least 35% of total project funding),
  • an interim progress report describing project activities;

•  final installment of 30% upon submission of the following information:
  • a daily travel log (see attached form) and map(s) showing work area(s),
  • sample location map (if claiming analyses) and analytical results,
  • data from other surveys (e.g., geophysical),
  • a statement of eligible costs incurred and paid by the recipient (these costs must equal at least 100% of total project funding.)
     

Report shall include the following:

• A statement of eligible costs incurred and paid by the recipient, which equals or exceeds the total amount of the grant
• Receipts (proof of payment) and invoices for all expenses are required (with the exception of per diem allowances) and must be submitted with the final report. Only expenditures incurred during the program effective dates (April 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025) are eligible under the NBPAP program
• A travel log (attached)
• Map(s) clearly showing the claims, work areas, grids and/or sample locations
• Results of surveys (e.g. geochemical, geophysics), digital maps and data
• Location coordinates (GPS) of samples
• An assessment-quality report if the prospecting work is conducted on mineral claims

• Exploration activities must be conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions of the approved proposal. The Program Coordinator must pre-approve any modifications to the exploration activities to be considered under this program. Failure to secure prior approval for claimed work will result in that work being ineligible for funding. 
   
• Before undertaking exploration work or general prospecting, the right holder must notify appropriate parties, see Notifications Required Prior to Performing Exploration Work and General Prospecting (see link enclosed), which provides contact information for various prospecting activities and a list of forms/applications. Land Access and Use (gnb.ca).
    
• Acceptance of submitted documentation is at the discretion of the Program Coordinator. 
    
• If you have a GST/HST number, your eligible costs will be accepted at before tax value. If you have any questions about income tax, contact Revenue Canada at 1-800-959-8281.
    
• If a recipient files assessment work on the prospecting area within the time frame of the assistance program (i.e., before March 31), a travel log, receipts, invoices and reference to the assessment report(s), with a note giving us permission to view it, is all that is necessary.
   
• The final report will be held confidential for a 2-year period. 
   
• Unexpended or uncommitted funds must be returned to the province by the end of the funding assistance period (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 will not be considered from applicants that have not fulfilled all prior commitments under the New Brunswick exploration assistance programs.