Mineral Resources Development Fund: Prospecting Grants
$42,500.00
Grant
Description:
The Mineral Resources Development Fund supports prospectors, exploration companies, researchers, post-secondary students, and projects in the mining sector that attract investment, help grow Nova Scotia’s economy and create jobs, especially in rural areas. Prospecting Grants are intended to help explorers carry out grassroots exploration activities and find economical mineral resources in Nova Scotia. Funded activities can include but are not limited to, prospecting, geological/geophysical surveys, trenching, drilling, sampling, and testing.
Comments on Funding:
The total award may be increased by $2,500 if the applicant hires a Professional Geoscientist
(P.Geo) to assist with the exploration program.
• Applicants are permitted to apply for a grant on more than one exploration licence.
• A grant may be applied to several exploration properties, provided all properties are
under licence to the applicant and that the work to be done on each property is
described separately on the application form.
Applications are closed. Stay tuned for future intake announcements.
Eligibility:
Applicants must:
1. Be holders or in a registered agreement with the holder of valid licenses under the Mineral Resources Act.
2. If the applicant is not the licensee, demonstrate that a registered Summary of Agreement(s) is in place with the Registry of Mineral and Petroleum Titles, showing a valid exploration agreement with the respective license holder(s). Any agreement(s) must accompany the application.
3. For company-held licenses, the applicant must be the registered signing officer or agent in NovaROC. Registered agents must be authorized in NovaROC for reporting assessment work and filing required permits (e.g., drilling notification, excavation registration). Companies must be registered to do business in Nova Scotia.
4. Ensure companies applying are in good standing with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies and have an agent in the province if they do not have a local presence.
5. Submit written authorization if signing on behalf of the license holder(s), where the applicant is a living individual but not a registered agent.
6. Have fulfilled all commitments for any previous grants from the MRDF or Nova Scotia Mineral Incentive Program.
7. Adhere to the Mineral Resources Act, Regulations, and other applicable federal and provincial acts and regulations. Non-compliance may lead to ineligibility for future applications.
8. Ensure geoscientists or companies providing geoscience services are registered under the Geoscience Profession Act in Nova Scotia. Prospectors are not required to be registered, but upon notice of receiving a grant, contractors working for the applicant must be registered.
Application Steps:
Applications must be submitted using the form provided at
https://novascotia.ca/natr/meb/mrdp.asp to the department at mrdf@novascotia.ca
Documentation Needed:
About the author
Maurice