Exploration grants stimulate $9.2 million in minerals investment

The Rockliff Liberal Government is the strongest supporter of the mining and minerals processing sector which provides a rock-solid base to grow the economy and create more jobs in regional communities. 
 
Minister for Resources, Felix Ellis, said the Exploration Drilling Grant Initiative continued to be an important economic stimulator for the State, with six projects successful in Round 9.  
 
“These newly approved projects will see more than six kilometres of exploration drilling undertaken and more than $1.57 million spent by industry to generate up to $9.2 million in economic activity,” Minister Ellis said. 
 
"The latest round of successful projects take the total approved since 2018 to 99 from 30 different companies, a sign of the strong interest in the mineral potential of what is beneath our feet.” 
 
“Commencing in 2018, EDGI encourages and supports industry and investors to identify new and potentially lucrative greenfield mining opportunities as well as the re-examination of existing mine or mining lease sites.  
 
“The program provides up to $70,000 for direct drilling costs and $20,000 for helicopter support, if required, for successful applicants wanting to undertake mineral exploration.” 
 
Minister Ellis said Tasmania’s education sectors also benefit from the program with all drill core and samples stored at the Minerals Resources Tasmania Core Library in Mornington and available for public viewing and sampling. 
 
“The University of Tasmania is a significant user for both undergraduate and post-graduate research teaching, including techniques of describing core and the identification of rock types and structures in the cores. 
 
“The core library has also hosted courses on geotechnical logging for engineering geologists who need to understand the geology and mechanical properties of the rocks to design major projects such as the Bridgewater Bridge.”

Minister Ellis said that mineral exploration and minerals processing was integral to the world’s decarbonisation efforts. 

“What we have seen in recent years is a shift to find the minerals needed for renewable energy economies and in this round alone, four of six approved projects are looking for critical minerals required for the global energy transition, such as the rare earth elements, tungsten and tin.

“It is fitting that a State whose history is proudly based on renewable energy is now helping to uncover the minerals that will help the rest of the world follow in our footsteps,” Minister Ellis said. 

Further information on the Mining Exploration Grant Initiative is available on the MRT website.