$1 million in gold coins is buried in the Canadian wilderness — and the only clue is a 13-stanza poem
The first clue of The Great Canadian Treasure is a 13-stanza poem, and participants have until December 31, 2026, to find the prize.
A real-life treasure chest filled with about $1 million worth of gold coins has been hidden somewhere in Canada, and the race to find it has already begun. The project, called The Great Canadian Treasure Hunt, was created by The Northern Miner and its partners as a way to honor the nation’s long mining heritage while sparking curiosity and adventure. The chest itself does not contain the coins but rather an alphanumeric code that acts as proof of discovery. Whoever finds it will be able to claim 217 one-ounce coins minted from Agnico Eagle Mines’ Detour Lake mine. Alongside the grand prize, the contest also includes twelve monthly rewards of $25,000 to keep treasure seekers engaged along the way.
According to Popular Science, the hunt must be completed by December 31, 2026. If no one solves the riddles and locates the hidden code by then, the treasure will be forfeited. To start participants on their way, the organizers released a 13-stanza poem online on August 13. The verses reference a phoenix, "zinc-toned waters," and "sunken whispers" among other cryptic images. A second clue was released on September 3 that read, "Though crystal clear and calm it seems, this mirror hides more than it gleams. A single step may seal your fate, best not disturb the water’s state."
More hints will continue to appear each month, published through The Northern Miner, MINING.COM, and CEO.CA, with subscribers to The Northern Miner receiving early access and a compiled list of clues through a dedicated Treasure Hunt portal. The contest is open only to Canadian citizens, but it does not require any mining permits, special tools, or insider connections. Everything is hidden on publicly accessible land, and participants from all walks of life are welcome to join. Organizers emphasize that the hunt is about interpreting poetry and solving riddles rather than trekking into the wilderness with pickaxes and shovels.
Behind the excitement lies a broader story about Canada’s relationship with gold. Gold has been at the heart of the nation’s economy for centuries, and today it remains the country’s most valuable mined commodity. Natural Resources Canada reports that gold is Canada’s most valuable mined commodity, with a production value of CA$15.1 billion in 2023. It also notes that most of this gold is mined in Ontario and Quebec, largely due to the vast geological formation known as the Canadian Shield. Sean Boyd, chair of Agnico Eagle, explained that the treasure hunt connects this history with the future. He said, "This Treasure Hunt acknowledges the pivotal role mining has played in the history of Canada and how the mining industry is very well positioned to make major contributions to community building and nation building now and in the future."
Anthony Vaccaro, president of The Northern Miner Group, described it as both playful and purposeful, adding, "The Great Canadian Treasure Hunt is more than a contest, it’s an invitation to explore Canada’s legendary mining roots while flexing your brainpower. We want to inspire a new kind of exploration, grounded in curiosity, logic, and appreciation for Canada’s rich natural history in a way that’s never been done before." Vaccaro also noted how the initiative reflects Canada’s place in the global market. "By sourcing and developing critical minerals here at home, Canada strengthens its ability to support clean energy, drive innovation, and maintain domestic resource security in a rapidly changing global market," he said.
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