Mineral claim holders impacted by COVID-19 can now use the GNWT’s Work Credit Program to reduce cash-in-lieu deposit requirements on extension applications.

This relief initiative applies to claim holders with anniversary dates that fall between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022.  

Credits will be applied on application only.  Should a mineral claim holder not be able to meet their work requirements for the 2021/2022 fiscal year, clients will have the opportunity to apply for an extension under the current mining regulations. The required cash deposit will be credited with 75% of the required deposit amount.

What is the Work Credit Program?

Mineral claims provide an exclusive right to explore for minerals in a specified area for up to ten years and require applicants to complete exploration work to maintain their claim in good standing. Under the NWT Mining Regulations, holders of recorded mineral claims in the NWT must complete work or submit cash in lieu to keep a claim active.  Reported exploration work is assessed and approved by the GNWT’s Mining Recorder’s Office.

The Work Credit Program (WCP) was introduced in 2015 to offset costs for mineral explorers in order to encourage more exploration. Under the program, the credit or value of qualifying early exploration work is multiplied by 1.5 in the recording system — effectively increasing the value of work done and reducing the financial burden on the explorers operating in the NWT. The program was extended this year to support the NWT’s mineral exploration sector during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Work completed between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2022 that is reported to the Mining Recorder no later than September 30, 2022 will now be credited an additional 50%.

For more information, contact Valerie Gordon, Mining Recorder at Valerie_Gordon@gov.nt.ca.