JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Western Australian Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston on Tuesday announced the 44 successful projects that would benefit from the state government's Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) cofounded drilling programme.
The successful Round 16 applicants include lithium, gold, copper, base metals, potash, petroleum and nickel projects.
The state government will offer up to A$4.83-million to the 44 successful applicants, which include lithium, gold, copper, base metals, potash, petroleum and nickel projects.
Drilling will take place throughout 2018, and will be refunded up to 50% of direct drilling costs, with caps of $150 000 for a multi-hole project, $200 000 for a single-deep hole, and $30 000 for a prospector's project.
The application process for Round 17 will open in February.
The EIS programme aims to increase private sector resource exploration to help find the next big mineral or energy discovery. The EIS has assisted more than 585 000 m of drilling in Western Australia.