Ontario Junior Exploration Program

The Ontario Junior Exploration Program is providing $5 million over two years to eligible junior mining companies conducting grassroots early exploration in Ontario.

Companies can apply for funding to cover eligible costs of up to $200,000 per mineral exploration project.

For Year 1, projects can start no earlier than July 26, 2021 and are expected to end by February 15, 2022.
For Year 2, projects can start on April 1, 2022 and are expected to end by February 15, 2023.

Applications are assessed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

About the program

The Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP) supports early-stage mineral exploration by providing targeted funding. OJEP is designed to:

• encourage investment in mineral exploration
• boost economic growth and create jobs across the province
• prioritize opportunities in northern and Indigenous communities

Eligible junior mining companies can receive:

• up to $200,000 per project to cover 50% of eligible costs
• up to an additional $15,000 to cover 100% of eligible costs per project supporting Indigenous employment and business opportunities

Eligible prospectors applying under the new prospectors stream can receive:

• up to $50,000 per project to cover 50% of eligible costs

An additional up to $15,000 to cover 100% of eligible costs per project supporting Indigenous employment and business opportunities

Program streams

Critical minerals stream

Projects under the critical minerals stream are projects where a critical mineral, identified in Ontario’s critical minerals list, is the primary or secondary mineral exploration target.

Projects where the primary mineral exploration target is a critical mineral (primary target projects) will be considered for funding on a first-come, first-served basis.

Once primary target projects are selected, projects where the secondary mineral exploration target is a critical mineral (secondary target projects) will be considered for remaining funding on a first-come, first-served basis.

If funding under the critical minerals stream is fully allocated, any remaining primary or secondary target projects will automatically be considered under the exploration stream on a first-come, first-served basis.

Exploration stream

Projects under the exploration stream include:

• projects where the exploration target is a mineral not included in the list of critical minerals
• any primary target projects or secondary target projects that are being considered under the exploration stream

All projects in the exploration stream will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• be a non-producing junior mining company with a market capitalization of up to $100 million (or a comparable value if you are a private company) as of the opening date of the intake period
• be registered on the Ontario Business Registry
• submit an application that proposes to undertake grassroots mineral exploration in Ontario
• provide proof that the applicant has the funds to cover 100% of total project costs
• provide a copy of a valid certificate of insurance which includes general commercial liability coverage at a limit not less than $2 million per occurrence
• be enrolled in the Mining Lands Administration System and hold the necessary mining lands tenure required to carry out the project
• have a valid exploration plan and/or permit issued under the Mining Act before work proceeds and for the duration of the project (where required)
• have the approval of the plan/permit and/or tenure holder to apply for OJEP funding and carry out the proposed project

Prospectors stream

We are excited to announce the launch of a dedicated stream for prospectors. This new initiative allows prospectors to target minerals across critical mineral and exploration streams, with funding opportunities of up to $50,000 per project. Additionally, recipients can benefit from the Indigenous Participation Incentive, potentially adding an extra $15,000 in funding per project.

All projects in the prospectors stream will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• the prospector must possess an Ontario prospecting license for a minimum of one year before the date of the application
• the claims where work is planned must be in good standing with the first year of assessment work filed and approved
• the prospector must hold at least 25% interest in the claim where eligible activity will occur
• the prospector must not be associated with a junior mining company for any claims receiving OJEP funding
• prospectors may apply for one project per intake period

Apply

The 2025–2026 intake period has closed.

We assess and approve applications on a first-come, first-served basis.

For complete details on the program, application process and what happens after you apply, read the OJEP program guidelines.

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