The Government of the Northwest Territories announced at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2026 Convention the publication of an updated assessment of mineral potential in the Slave Geological Province, an area in the eastern Northwest Territories.
In a news release, the territorial government shared that the new study addresses the mineral potential of the Slave Geological Province – lying between Great Slave Lake and Coronation Gulf – focusing on critical minerals for economic growth, energy transition, and supply chain security.
According to the NWT government, the assessment found that the Slave Geological Province continues to be one of the country’s richest regions for exploring and developing gold, diamonds, and critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, copper, and zinc.
“This updated mineral potential assessment reinforces what we have long known: the Northwest Territories holds immense strategic value for Canada’s future,” said Caroline Wawzonek – NWT minister responsible for strategic infrastructure, energy, and supply chains – in the news release.
The territorial government stated that the Northwest Territories’ co-management system, founded on modern treaties, will help promote the area’s mineral potential and ensure responsible development in collaboration with Indigenous governments.
“Improving geological knowledge is part of the suite of government actions to create the right conditions for responsible development, turning mineral potential into new opportunities for Northerners,” said Caitlin Cleveland, NWT minister of industry, tourism, and investment.
‘Heat maps’
According to the NWT government, using updated data and analytical methods, the study includes publicly available mineral potential “heat maps,” including one specific to critical minerals.
The territorial government said these maps aim to help industry players, Indigenous governments, and decision-makers with geological intelligence advance evidence-based land use planning, infrastructure development, and investment attraction in the NWT.
The NWT government noted that the new study evaluated 19 critical minerals across 1,721 mineral showings, including 116 showings not covered by prior assessments.
“The new Mineral Potential Study report deepens our understanding of the untapped resources located throughout the eastern Northwest Territories – including the presence of 19 of the 34 minerals on Canada’s list of minerals critical to the economic success of Canada and its allies,” Cleveland said in the news release.
Aurora Geosciences Ltd. completed “The 2025 Mineral Potential Study: Slave Geological Province & Surrounds, NWT, Canada,” which combined new industry-generated geological and geophysical datasets with assessments from 2015 and 2019.
Infrastructure projects
The territorial government explained that data regarding the presence, location, and quantity of minerals will support the case for the proposed Arctic Economic and Security Corridor and the Taltson Hydroelectric Expansion.
In its news release, the NWT government said the assessment seeks to reduce the risk for industry and government to support and invest in these strategic infrastructure projects in the NWT. The territorial government added that the infrastructure upgrades aim to:
- Help exploration and resource companies access the Slave Geologic Province
- Meet the higher energy demand for the region’s future projects
- Improve the safety, reliability, and affordability of energy and transportation for industry
- Lower the cost of operating and moving people, goods, and equipment
- Make future mineral projects more viable
- Promote responsible growth, Indigenous partnerships, and economic opportunities across the North
Wawzonek noted that geology on its own cannot guarantee prosperity.
“Strategic infrastructure, clean energy, and strong Indigenous partnerships are what turn mineral potential into real projects, real jobs, and long-term economic security,” Wawzonek said in the news release.