Where to Find Copper in Northwest Territories: 14 Mapped Sites
Northwest Territories has 14 documented sites where copper have been reported, and the best-known are Parker Lake, Hackett River Prospect, and Hood River. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Copper Map: Northwest Territories
All 14 copper sites in Northwest Territories. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Copper Are Found in Northwest Territories
Look on old mine dumps in copper districts and, in the Lake Superior country, in basalt flows and glacial float. Oxidized surface zones of copper deposits also carry malachite, azurite, and cuprite.
The richest reported sites in Northwest Territories: Parker Lake, Hackett River Prospect, Hood River, Izok Lake, Prairie Creek Prospect.
All Copper Sites in Northwest Territories
- Parker Lake — Other
- Hackett River Prospect — Other
- Hood River — Other
- Izok Lake — Other
- Prairie Creek Prospect — Other
- Coates Lake — Other
- Heninga Lake — Other
- High Lake — Other
- Izok Lake Zn-Cu-Pb-Ag — Other
- Prairie Creek — Other
- Rankin Inlet Nickel Co, Cu, Pt, Pd Mine-Canada — Other
- Rankin Inlet — Other
- Coppermine River Wreck Lake — Other
- Echo Bay Mine — Other
How to Identify Copper
Native copper shows a salmon-red metallic gleam on any fresh or scratched surface, usually hiding under a green or black tarnish crust. It is malleable — a hammer dents it rather than shattering it — and far heavier than the rock around it. Green malachite staining on outcrop is the classic pointer to copper mineralization nearby.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find copper in Northwest Territories?
Northwest Territories has 14 mapped sites where copper have been reported. The best-known are Parker Lake, Hackett River Prospect, and Hood River. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many copper sites are mapped in Northwest Territories?
We have 14 documented copper sites in Northwest Territories, compiled from provincial geological survey records and community submissions, reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect copper in Northwest Territories?
Casual hand collecting is generally allowed on unclaimed Crown land in Northwest Territories, and prohibited in parks, on active mineral claims, and on private land without permission. Always verify land status before you dig.
How do I identify copper?
Native copper shows a salmon-red metallic gleam on any fresh or scratched surface, usually hiding under a green or black tarnish crust. It is malleable — a hammer dents it rather than shattering it — and far heavier than the rock around it. Green malachite staining on outcrop is the classic pointer to copper mineralization nearby.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
More to Find in Northwest Territories
Copper in Nearby Provinces
Data: USGS Mineral Resources Data System — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.