Mineral exploration in WA continues its phenomenal run

Strong interest anticipated for EIS Round 27 with exploration in Western Australia remaining at all-time highs
Date: Tuesday, 07 February 2023
  • Strong interest anticipated for EIS Round 27 with exploration in Western Australia remaining at all-time highs 

Applications for Round 27 of the Exploration Incentive Scheme's (EIS) flagship co-funded drilling program and Series 5 of the Energy Analysis Program (EAP) open today.

The competitive grants program offers refunds up to 50 per cent for innovative exploration drilling and EAP projects, capped at specific amounts.

Successful applicants from earlier rounds of the EIS are achieving great success drilling remote and underexplored areas along Western Australia's eastern border.

WA1 Resources' first drill hole at its Pachpadra prospect uncovered a mineralised carbonatite system. These systems are important sources of rare earth elements, which play a key role in the production of batteries and electronic equipment.

Caspin Resources' drilling at its Duchess prospect intersected significant grades of gold and molybdenum, while Hamelin Resources' first drill hole south of its Afghan prospect intersected high-grade gold mineralisation along a geological contact that previous explorers had not targeted.

Applications for Round 27 of the EIS and Series 5 of the EAP close at 4pm, Friday 3 March 2023. For more information, visit: http://dmp.wa.gov.au/Geological-Survey/Exploration-Incentive-Scheme-1428.aspx

Comments attributed to Acting Mines and Petroleum Minister Sue Ellery:

"Searching for the next big resource discovery ensures Western Australia stays at the forefront of mineral exploration.

"The mining industry is a major employer of people in WA, with more than 157,000 workers, and exploration plays a key role in sustaining that growth.

"It's especially pleasing to see many of these economic benefits flow through to our regional communities."