Saskatchewan Targeted Mineral Exploration Incentive (TMEI)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
25% rebate on eligible drilling costs for hard-rock mineral exploration in Saskatchewan, up to $150,000 per company or $50,000 for uranium exploration. Expanded in 2023 under Saskatchewan's Critical Minerals Strategy to cover all hard-rock minerals including lithium, rare earths, and base metals.
Eligibility Requirements
- Mineral exploration company conducting hard-rock exploration in Saskatchewan
- Eligible drilling activities on valid mineral dispositions
- Must submit annual application by December 31
- All hard-rock minerals eligible (expanded 2023)
- Uranium exploration eligible at reduced maximum
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- 25% rebate on drilling costs; up to $150,000 per company; up to $50,000 for uranium
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 25% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Open (annual applications by December 31)
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win TMEI — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 5-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 7-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 4-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Applying for TMEI? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipExpanded in 2023 to cover all hard-rock minerals under Saskatchewan's Critical Minerals Strategy — previously limited to specific commodities. This makes Saskatchewan one of the most exploration-friendly jurisdictions in Canada. The 25% rebate directly reduces your all-in drilling cost. Stack with federal flow-through shares to effectively subsidize 60-70% of exploration costs for investors. Submit your application well before the December 31 deadline to avoid processing delays.
Success Profile
Junior mining and exploration companies actively drilling in Saskatchewan's mineral-rich regions — particularly the Athabasca Basin (uranium), Trans-Hudson Corridor (base metals, gold), and emerging critical mineral targets (lithium, rare earths). Companies with active drill programs averaging $200K-$600K annual spend.
Evaluation Criteria
Entitlement-style rebate — no competitive scoring. All qualifying applications submitted by December 31 with eligible drilling costs, valid mineral dispositions, and complete documentation receive the 25% rebate up to program maximums. Budget has accommodated all valid applications in prior years based on 2018–2025 results ($5.9M distributed across 96 applications). Applications reviewed for completeness and eligibility by Saskatchewan Geological Survey staff.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 5
Eligible Expenses 5
- Drilling costs (core, rotary, and directional drilling)
- Logging and downhole survey costs
- Borehole geophysical surveys
- Ground geophysical surveys
- Pre-sampling geological and geotechnical tasks directly associated with eligible drilling
Ineligible Expenses 6
- Drilling on mining leases (development/production drilling — exploration drilling on mineral dispositions only)
- Surface trenching and bulk sampling (not drilling)
- Airborne geophysical surveys
- General geological mapping costs
- Administrative overhead and project management fees
- Costs not supported by invoices or proof of payment
Intake Periods
Annual cycle. Applications accepted January 1 through December 31 for exploration conducted during that calendar year. Verification of Work Form due April 30 of the following year. The program runs on a calendar year basis — note this differs from BC's fiscal year model.
Deadline Notes
Annual program with applications accepted by December 31 of each year for exploration conducted during that calendar year. Rebate paid following year after assessment.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Companies drilling on mining leases (producing or development-stage properties)
- Companies conducting non-drilling exploration (trenching, sampling only)
- Applicants without valid mineral dispositions in Saskatchewan
- Companies with drilling not documented by invoices
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskHow TMEI Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saskatchewan Targeted Mineral Explora... | up to $150,000 | Easy | Reimbursement | Open (annual... |
| Yukon Mineral Exploration Program (YMEP) | Up to $15,000 | Easy | Reimbursement | Annual intake |
| Investments in Forest Industry Transf... | Up to $10 million | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Periodic Calls for... |
| Mining Innovation Commercialization A... | Up to $500,000 | Moderate | Reimbursement | Periodic Calls for... |
| Critical Minerals R&D and Demonstrati... | Up to $5,000,000 per project | Hard | Milestone-Based | Between intakes — EOI... |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about TMEI