Geoscience Information Leads to Largest Staking Rush Since 2014

The release of new data on the Slave Geological Province this summer has led to the largest staking rush in the Northwest Territories since 2014.

The staking rush has contributed to an increase in claim numbers this year. So far in 2017, there have been 184 claims in the NWT totalling 139,019 hectares. In comparison, a total of 83 claims were staked in 2016 totalling 42,404 hectares.

The surge followed the June 22 release of two geophysical reports on the Slave Geological Province by the NWT Geological Survey. During the same timeframe, 45 claim tags were sold and 107 claims maps were issued.

The Slave Geological Province is an area of high diamond potential, and major diamond companies were amongst those staking claims.

The reports were jointly funded by the NWT Geological Survey and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) to inform a variety of mineral exploration, geological and environmental research objectives.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to supporting mineral exploration and the mining sector as part of its mandate.

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“The Northwest Territories’ Slave Geological Province holds great promise for continued diamond exploration and mining. Thanks to recent geoscience research, we’re directly stimulating renewed economic activity in this area. The mini-staking rush demonstrates that there is an ongoing, strong interest in this important economic region.”

-Wally Schumann, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment

“Each region of our country has unique strengths. That means innovation doesn’t just happen in the big cities—it happens in every region of the country. Investing in geoscience research promotes the North’s regional advantage. The funding creates well-paying jobs for the North and encourages further skills training. The data collected through the research also leads to a higher quality of life for all northern Canadians.”

-Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Quick facts

  • Thirty-four new mineral claims were staked in the Northwest Territories (NWT) over a two-week period this summer.
  • The total area covered by the 34 claims in the Slave Geological Province is 36,490 hectares.
  • CanNor invested a total of $1,334,254 over two years to support the airborne geophysical work conducted by the Northwest Territories Geological Survey.

Related Links

Media Contact:

Drew Williams
Manager, Public Affairs
Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-767-9202 ext. 63037
drew_williams@gov.nt.ca

Rebecca McDonald
Regional Communications Advisor of the Northwest Territories
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Government of Canada
867-669-2592
rebecca.mcdonald@cannor.gc.ca