Round 28 of the Exploration Incentive Scheme’s (EIS) flagship co-funded drilling program and Series 6 of the Energy Analysis Program (EAP) are now accepting applications.
The co-funded drilling round follows a $1 million annual funding increase in the State Budget 2023-24. A total of $7 million is currently available each year through two application rounds.
“Mineral exploration is one of Western Australia’s most important sectors, which is why the Cook Government will continue to support companies with the backing they deserve,” Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston said.
“It’s especially pleasing to see successful EIS applicants uncover the critical minerals needed to support our national and global decarbonisation efforts,” Minister Johnston stated.
Caspin Resources received EIS funding for Mount Squires exploration in 2021, identifying a substantial molybdenum-gold anomaly during the drilling program.
Earlier this year, the company secured further EIS funding to continue exploration at Mount Squires, including drilling its Duchess East site, where previous work discovered near-surface rare earth element mineralisation.
According to the Western Australian Government, Norwest Minerals’ maiden 20-hole drilling program at the Arunta West Project is another EIS success story. The drilling program found significant shallow mineralisation of rare earth elements.
The EIS program, which began in 2009, encourages innovative exploration in greenfields and underexplored areas of Western Australia. Meanwhile, the EAP program promotes the exploration of petroleum and geothermal resources by utilising existing state resources such as drill core, sidewall core and cuttings, and existing data.
“I look forward to learning more about the latest exploration achievements and industry innovations at this week’s Diggers and Dealers event in Kalgoorlie,” Minister Johnston said.
Round 28 and Series 6 applications close on Friday, 1 September 2023.
