The province has announced the recipients of the Ontario Junior Mining Exploration Program.

$4.4 million is being made available to junior mining companies.

Mines Minister George Pirie made the announcement at the Ontario Prospectors Exploration Showcase in Thunder Bay.

A total of 35 projects have been funded, and 24 of them are in the critical mineral sector.

MPP Kevin Holland says almost $480,000 is going towards three projects to uncover critical minerals in the Thunder Bay region.

Just over $107,000 to the Fladgate Exploration Consulting Group for their Werner Lake project northwest of Kenora.

(File photo)