A further 17 mineral exploration projects in Tasmania will share in about $950,000 worth of funding through Round 7 of the State Government’s Exploration Drilling Grant Initiative (EDGI).
The program provides up to $50,000 for direct drilling costs and $20,000 for helicopter support, if required, for successful applicants wanting to undertake mineral exploration, with a view to opening viable operations.
The 17 projects approved through the latest funding round will see nearly 10km of exploration drilling and more than $2.8 million in expenditure by the industry.
Projects being funded through this round are targeting a diverse range of minerals including tin and tungsten, both of which are essential for the development of new technology and sectors such as renewable energy generation.
Tasmanian Minister for Resources, Guy Barnett, said the program represented the State Government’s commitment to the mining industry.
“Already contributing more than $3 billion a year to our economy through exports alone and supporting more than 5,200 jobs state-wide, our mining and mineral processing sector is an important economic driver for our state and we continue to invest in its growth,” Mr Barnett said.
“Encouraging exploration is the first step in helping the mining sector unlock new revenue for our state, create even more jobs in our regions and boost local communities and economies.”
“All up, the EDGI is expected to drive a 60 per cent increase in greenfield drilling to open up sites that may not have previously been economically attractive for exploration.
“And this is the first round to be funded by the $1.5 million, three-year extension to the EDGI that was announced as part of our 2021 election platform.
“It’s been a pleasure and absolute privilege to be Resources Minister, presiding over a time of sustainable development of our resources sector.”
A full list of successful applicants under Round 7 of our Mining Exploration Grant Initiative and further information on the Initiative is available on the MRT website.
