The transfer of responsibility for the management of land and resources to the GNWT in 2014 included the administration of the NWT royalty regime. The last review of the competitiveness of the NWTs royalty regime was completed under the federal regime in 2007/2008.

In 2019 the GNWT engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) to assess the tax and royalty competitiveness of the NWT mining sector. PwC assessed taxes and royalties paid over the life of mine for two representative mine models: a base metal mine and a large diamond mine compared to twenty other jurisdictions.

The PwC report concluded that since the 2008, the NWT continues to have a tax and royalty system that is competitive and in-line with other jurisdictions in Canada. The report identified the competitive challenges faced by the NWT which is result of higher capital and operating costs associated with remote locations. The analysis concludes that the GNWT has limited options or ability to offset these challenges through direct mining tax policy.

An optimal royalty scheme for the Northwest Territories would take full account of the unique characteristics of the NWT mining sector; the competitive position of the sector; and the evolution of mineral prices over various mining cycles.