The governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories have launched a pilot project that uses AI and digital core scanning to reanalyse historic drill samples in a bid to unlock new mineral exploration opportunities in the country’s North.

The initiative, announced Monday, will focus on scanning and analysing archived core samples from the Northwest Territories Geological Survey’s collection. The aim is to identify high-potential critical mineral zones across the Slave geological province – a vast, underexplored region considered one of Canada’s most promising areas for lithium, copper, cobalt and rare earth elements.

“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,” said Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson.

“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 catalyzes investment into Canadian mining.”

The project includes the development of a centralised digital platform to house the scanned core data, making it accessible to industry. Officials say this will lower exploration risk and help re-evaluate existing geological discoveries without the need for new land disturbance.

“This initiative puts the Northwest Territories at the forefront of mineral innovation in Canada,” said Caitlin Cleveland, the Northwest Territories’ Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. “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 effort is a step toward establishing a national Digital Core Library and forms part of Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy. The initiative also aligns with ongoing infrastructure efforts in the North, including the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the proposed Arctic Security Corridor.

“Digitising existing core samples to reduce exploration risk is a strategic use of technology to help advance the future mineral resource opportunities of the Northwest Territories,” said Territory Infrastructure, Energy and Supply Chains Minister Caroline Wawzonek.

“Realising the mineral potential of the Northwest Territories depends on having the right infrastructure . . . That’s why we’re advancing the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Arctic Security Corridor.”