PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian government has announced the recipients of Round 21 of the state government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme's (EIS's) co-funded exploration drilling programme. 

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety received 61 applications, with 45 applicants offered co-funded drilling grants worth A$5.23 million.

The applicants' 49 projects stretch from the Kimberley and Pilbara in the north, through to the Mid-West, Goldfields and the South-West regions, Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston said on Thursday.

Nearly one-third of the successful general category applicants are searching for battery minerals, including one vanadium project and two rare earth element projects, while seven successful prospectors are looking for gold, copper and base metals.

"Round 21's 49 successful projects was an increase on the previous round, which bodes well for the future of our resources industry as the government works towards economic recovery after Covid-19,” Johnston said.

"The amount of applications we received, reflect the strong interest in Western Australia as an investment destination for mineral resources."

The applicants will have 12 months to undertake the work.

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies has welcomed the latest round of funding with CEO Warren Pearce saying the funding was timely, as some parts of the mineral exploration sector are facing challenges raising capital and have had to reduce staff because of the impact of Covid-19.”

“Programmes like EIS that attract investment will be critical as Western Australia rebounds post-Covid.”

The co-funded exploration drilling programme, which provides incentives to drill in underexplored areas, has resulted in significant scientific and economic results for the state's resources industry. A study has previously found that every A$1-million invested under the EIS stimulates exploration activity generating A$10.3-million in direct benefits for Western Australia. The study found that every A$1-million spent under the EIS generated 12.5 full-time jobs in minerals exploration for three years."

The projects provide an extensive collection of drill core, which is stored at the Geological Survey of Western Australia's core libraries - offering a valuable resource for explorers.