- Search for critical minerals continues to drive resource
exploration
- State Budget funding increase creates two new geophysics programs
- Applications for latest round of Exploration Incentive Scheme now
open
Applications for Round 29 of the Exploration Incentive
Scheme's (EIS) co-funded drilling program and Series 7 of the Energy Analysis
Program (EAP) open today alongside two new geophysics initiatives.
The
inaugural Co-funded Geophysics Program (CGP) provides $2 million to generate
new geophysical information to support greenfields exploration with a focus on
critical minerals.
A further initiative involves the EAP providing an
additional $500,000 for a new geophysics acquisition category to seek a better
understanding of energy and geothermal systems.
The two new geophysics initiatives follow a State Budget funding
increase for 2023–24.
Recent EIS success stories include Gateway Mining intersecting
a significant new zone of gold mineralisation at the company's Montague project
in the Murchison.
Kalgoorlie Nickel also reported success at its Highway
deposit with the company confirming nickel sulphide prospectivity and
lithium-caesium-rubidium bearing intrusives.
Round 29 of the co-funded drilling program will likely see ongoing
interest in the search for critical minerals with 58 per cent of the projects
awarded in Round 28 hunting for these important minerals.
Applications for Round 29, Series 7 and Venture 1 (geophysics) close at
4 pm on Friday, 1 March 2024. For more information visit: Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS)
(dmp.wa.gov.au)
Comments attributed to Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael:
"The Cook Government's ongoing support of mineral
exploration underpins our efforts to position WA as a global supplier of future
battery minerals and materials.
"Resources exploration remains a leading driver of WA's
economic success, so it is pleasing to see the Exploration Incentive Scheme
deliver so many outstanding results.
"I look forward to learning more about the research and
technology behind the new geophysics programs and how these tools will help
uncover the next big mineral discovery."
