Ontario Opens Applications for $10 Million Junior Mining Exploration Fund in 2025
The Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines will accept applications for the 2025 Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP) from July 3 to July 31, 2025. According to the Ministry, up to $10 million is available to support early-stage mineral exploration. Applications can be submitted online by junior mining companies and licensed prospectors.
The program aims to help cover the costs of early mineral exploration, which the Ministry describes as a high-risk period where only about one in 1,000 projects typically leads to a productive mine. This funding opportunity provides financial support for those seeking to develop new mineral resources in the province, especially as demand for critical minerals continues.
For 2025, the Ministry states that OJEP introduces a new stream for licensed prospectors in Ontario. Licensed prospectors may apply for up to $50,000 per project, with an option to receive additional Indigenous Participation Support, increasing total possible funding to $65,000. The Ministry also states that Indigenous Participation Funding has increased from $10,000 to $15,000 per project. For junior mining companies, the maximum available per project is $215,000, which includes potential support for Indigenous participation. The Ministry confirms that projects will be approved and funded on a first-come, first-served basis.
According to the Ministry, OJEP may cover up to 50 percent of eligible exploration and development costs. In the previous round, the program supported 80 junior mining companies, 68 of which focused on critical minerals.
The Ministry reports that Ontario's mining sector contributes about $14.4 billion per year to the province's gross domestic product and supports approximately 74,000 direct and indirect jobs. The Ministry describes Ontario as among the top 10 global jurisdictions for mineral exploration and the top province in Canada for exploration spending. The Ring of Fire region, about 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay and roughly 5,000 square kilometres in size, is identified by the Ministry as a significant source of critical minerals.
The Ministry notes that the 2025 funding continues $35 million announced in November 2024—$23 million for exploration of all minerals and $12 million for critical minerals. In addition, the Ministry highlights investments of $500 million for a Critical Minerals Processing Fund and nearly $3.1 billion allocated for loans, guarantees, grants, and scholarships to support Indigenous involvement in critical mineral development.