Nunavut Map Selection

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) has developed a web-based system allowing the administration of mining rights in Nunavut called Nunavut Map Selection (NMS).

NMS changes the way mineral claims are acquired. Instead of planting ground stakes, a proponent applying for mineral claims can choose pre-defined grid units on an online map, using the Nunavut Map Viewer. These units will define the area of the mineral claim.

NMS, which will be launched on January 30, 2021, required modifications to the former Nunavut Mining Regulations (2014). The Regulations amending the Nunavut Mining Regulations were published on October 14, 2020 in the Canada Gazette Part 2. The modified regulations came into force on November 1st, 2020.

These modified regulations establish a 90-day transitional period starting on November 1, 2020 and ending on January 29, 2021. During this transitional period:

• measures are put in place to help the mining industry transition to the new regime
• ground staking is prohibited

The claims that were staked before the transitional period may be recorded no later than 60 days after the date on which the staking was completed. It is expected that the NMS system will be operational the day following this transitional period, on January 30, 2021.

Contact the Mining Recorder's Office in order to obtain a user account for the NMS system. Once the user account is obtained, follow the instructions to access the NMS system.