The Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) are working together to advance a new geoscience research initiative that leverages artificial intelligence, digital scanning technologies, and historic drill cores to unlock the North’s mineral potential and help solidify Canada’s position as a global leader in resource development and critical minerals.

As part of this initiative, Canada and the Northwest Territories will pilot a project to scan, digitise and analyse existing drill cores from the Northwest Territories Geological Survey’s collection using cutting-edge techniques to highlight new areas of high critical-mineral potential. These core scans and their associated data will be made available through a centralised digital platform, helping to reduce exploration risk, re-evaluate existing discoveries and enable new mineral development opportunities across the North.

This program will be centred on drill cores from the Slave Geological Province in the Northwest Territories, one of Canada’s most promising regions for mineral exploration and critical mineral development. This vast, underexplored area is home to past-producing mines and significant greenfield potential, particularly for critical minerals such as lithium, copper, cobalt and rare earth elements. By applying AI-driven analysis to historical core samples, both governments aim to spur new investment by giving industry the tools it needs to unlock untapped mineral value — without further disturbing the land.

This work will form the foundation for a future Canadian Digital Core Library and reflects both governments’ shared commitment to breaking down silos and building one Canadian economy. It also supports national priorities around clean growth, Indigenous partnership, Arctic sovereignty and securing the supply chains that power Canada’s transition to a net-zero future.

Quotes
“Through this groundbreaking collaboration between the Government of Canada and the Northwest Territories, we are harnessing advanced technology to revolutionise how we understand and manage our mineral resources. By bringing together federal and territorial expertise and cutting‑edge artificial intelligence, we are laying the foundation for a smarter, more sustainable resource future that catalyses investment into Canadian mining.”
- The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“This initiative puts the Northwest Territories at the forefront of mineral innovation in Canada. By modernising how we analyse and share geological data, we’re opening the door to new exploration, new partnerships and new economic opportunities — all while maintaining our commitment to Indigenous leadership and environmental stewardship.”
-The Honourable Caitlin Cleveland, Northwest Territories Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment

“Digitising existing core samples to reduce exploration risk is a strategic use of technology to help advance the future mineral resource opportunities of the NWT. Realising the mineral potential of the NWT depends on having the right infrastructure; that includes clean energy and the capacity to move goods across the vast distances of the Territory. That’s why we’re advancing the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Arctic Security Corridor. These items of foundational infrastructure will allow us to capitalise on mineral wealth and create lasting opportunities for Northerners.”
- The Honourable Caroline Wawzonek, Northwest Territories Minister of Strategic Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains

Quick Facts

• The initiative supports development of a Canadian Digital Core Library to digitise and share drill core samples from across the country.
• The Slave Geological Province is one of Canada’s most promising regions for critical minerals, with past-producing mines and vast areas of underexplored geology.
• Making geoscience data more accessible can accelerate exploration, reduce environmental impacts and attract private investment — particularly in high-cost, high-reward northern regions.
• The initiative complements national and territorial investments in strategic infrastructure and clean energy, including the proposed Arctic Security Corridor and Taltson Hydro Expansion Project, which aim to support sustainable, year-round resource development and connect northern mineral resources to global markets.
• The project contributes to Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy and aligns with priorities around economic development, Arctic security, Indigenous partnership and nation-building infrastructure.

Contacts
Natural Resources Canada Media Relations
343-292-6096
media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Carolyn Svonkin
Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Carolyn.Svonkin@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Press Secretary
Government of the Northwest Territories
presssecretary@gov.nt.ca