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Prospectors Grants, Training & Application Forms

Prospectors Assistance is a provincially funded program which provides training and direct financial support to individuals and is designed to encourage and promote development of the mineral-prospecting industry and the discovery of wealth-generating mineral deposits. The program has two components: Prospector Training and Prospecting Grants.

Prospecting Grants

Direct financial assistance is provided to eligible resident prospectors who are at least 19 years old and involved in independent mineral exploration activities. Approved projects on crown land or the proponents’ registered claims are supported by grants of up to $6,000 for traditional and grass-roots prospecting. Up to a maximum of $6,000 is also available for air (float plane or helicopter) support to remote properties with no other means of access.

Mineral exploration and prospecting involves high-risk investment. Prospecting requires geochemical, geophysical and other geo-technical support which is expensive but essential, and the prospector’s chance of financial return is low. Prospecting grants help fund these activities and provide support to prospectors in search of wealth-generating mineral commodities. The prospectors are also supported by field visits and guidance from the program manager, as well as other departmental personnel. Sixty percent of the grant is paid in advance and the remainder is paid upon satisfactory completion of the project and submission of an approved final report.

The Department of Natural Resources considers the prospector’s assistance grants very successful and fundamental in providing a basis for future mineral development. Any mineral prospects that develop to production have a positive, "real wealth" affect on the provincial economy.

Prospector Training

The Department of Natural Resources also supports an educational component by providing professional instruction and other resources towards a two-week comprehensive training course in basic prospecting skills. The tuition-based course is delivered through the provincial community-college system and is open to all residents of the province over the age of 19.

It is currently offered annually in Stephenville in the late spring. A second course is offered in Happy Valley-Goose Bay during the summer months if numbers warrant.

Newly trained prospectors have discovered a considerable number of significant prospects and have optioned properties to private-sector companies for further exploration and development.

Prospector Applications

Please Note: There are several changes made to the prospector guidelines for the 2012 year, please refer to them before filling out the prospector grant application. Any applications we receive that are completed on the 2011 forms will be returned and have to be resubmitted on the 2012 application forms.

This area contains applications for prospecting grants and prospectors training courses.

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