Western Australia is powering ahead with mineral exploration, with the announcement of the successful applicants in Round 27 of the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) co-funded drilling program and Series 5 of the Energy Analysis Program (EAP).
A total of $7 million is being offered to 41 exploration projects, while three EAP studies will receive a total of $120,500.
20 of the drilling projects are looking for battery minerals, with lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese leading the race. There was also a noticeable surge in the search for rare earth elements that are used as components in high-technology devices.
Copper is another major element featuring heavily among the successful grants, with explorers showing considerable interest in the copper-gold mineral systems of the Pilbara’s Paterson Orogen.
Recent EIS success stories include Western Mines Group’s pivotal discovery of a significant nickel system in the Eastern Goldfields. Norwest Minerals has uncovered a significant rare earth element anomaly at its Arunta East operations located near the Western Australia – Northern Territory border.
The successful EAP grants were led by biostratigraphic studies in the central Perth Basin.
Western Australia Mines and Petroleum Minister, Bill Johnston, said the latest round of EIS demonstrates that mineral exploration companies remain focused on the state.
“Western Australia is emerging as a global battery and critical mineral hub, and this success would not be possible without the determined efforts of the exploration companies operating in this state,” Mr Johnston said.
“The EIS continues to support major mineral discoveries that drive new projects, create jobs and deliver economic growth to regional Western Australia.”
