Mining the Future

Quote: “Junior exploration companies are critical in the mining sector and the new JEAP program is helping to attract and keep them here in Ontario.” — Garry Clark, Executive Director, Ontario Prospectors Association

Active junior exploration companies are crucial to the continued success of Ontario’s mining industry. But, it’s a high-risk business, and in today’s difficult market, juniors often find it challenging to attract investors. That’s why companies like Sudbury’s Wallbridge Mining applaud the NOHFC’s new Junior Exploration Assistance Program (JEAP). The one-year pilot program provides juniors with a rebate of up to $100,000 per project to plan or conduct exploration work in Northern Ontario. For Wallbridge, with two approved projects in the works, one in the very early exploration stage, the other about to start drilling, it means a helpful $200,000. “JEAP is a great program,” says Wallbridge’s vice president of exploration Joshua Bailey. “Ontario is a world leader in mining. Sustained exploration is necessary to maintain our advantage. JEAP is helping to keep exploration going, attract investment and keep expertise and future discoveries in Northern Ontario.”