Junior Mining Assistance Program

What is NBJMAP?

The New Brunswick Junior Mining Assistance Program (NBJMAP):

• Is a financial assistance program for private-sector Junior companies,
• Provides up to 50% of eligible costs, within defined limits, for mineral exploration projects,
• Is intended to increase the probability of finding economically viable mineral resources in New Brunswick.

What companies are eligible?

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 considered in the application,
• It does not have a self-sustained cash flow from operations,
• It is not a subsidiary of a major mining company,
• It has fulfilled all commitments for any previous grants from the MPPD, and
• Its principal business is mineral exploration and development.

Exceptions:

• The person making the application must not be in receipt of a grant from the New Brunswick Prospectors Assistance Program.
• Previous NBJMAP grants on the property cumulatively exceed $100,000.

What work is eligible?

Eligible work will include:

• Geological, geochemical and geophysical surveys;
• Trenching, core drilling or other drilling for exploration purposes;
• Surface and underground bulk sampling;
• Analytical costs, and
• Certain other exploration activities, if pre-approved by the Review Committee.

What are the funding limits?

The NBJMAP funding limits per company are as follows:

• Up to 50% of project costs to a maximum of $50,000.
• The other 50% of project costs will be borne by the applicant, either in cash or “in-kind” work.

Exceptions: Projects less than $20,000 will not be considered because the minimum NBJMAP grant is $10,000.

How to apply?

To apply for funding under the NBJMAP program:

• Complete the application form, which must include the following:
• The history of land tenure and mineral exploration on the mineral prospect;
• A detailed description of planned exploration work
• Maps showing the location of proposed work, and
• Details of proposed expenditures
• Submit the completed application form to:

Maurice Mazerolle
Exploration Assistance Program Coordinator
Geological Surveys Branch, NBDNR
207 Picadilly Road
P.O. Box 5040,
Sussex, N.B., E4E 5L2
Tel: (506) 432-2010; Fax: (506)-432-2060

How are application evaluated

Applications are:

• Evaluated by a review committee, consisting of representatives from the GSB and industry,
• The committee evaluates applications based upon:
  • the geological potential of the area,
  • the quality and merit of the proposal, and
  • the proponent's ability to complete the project.
• The committee receives and evaluates applications until the year's budget has been allocated.

What happens after approval?

Once an application has been approved, the applicant will:

• Enter into a contract with the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources, and
• This contract will govern such items as:
  • eligible costs,
  • timing of payments and
  • authorized changes to an original work proposal.

Reporting Requirements

An assessment report is required as a final report, which must be:

• Acceptable to the Mining Recorder (compliant with Regulation), and
• Accompanied by receipts for eligible expenditures.

Please note that the final report must be submitted to the Program Coordinator.