Western Australia’s Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) has continued to fuel mineral discoveries in the state, with successful applicants for round 29 announced.
In round 29, 47 applicants will receive grants worth almost $7.5 million for projects to be drilled between June 2024 and November 2025.
Battery minerals exploration saw an uptick in interest in round 29, with 57 per cent of the successful projects targeting rare earth elements, lithium and nickel-cobalt.
“Exploration is the bedrock of ongoing success in our powerhouse resources sector and the WA Government is committed to helping facilitate new mineral discoveries,” WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael said.
“The high number of applications we received is a strong indicator of the continued interest in Western Australia’s mining industry.
“I look forward to seeing what exciting new finds result from the co-funded Round 29 projects.”
The inaugural co-funded Geophysics Program awarded more than $3 million to 23 successful applicants for Venture 1 of the program, with 78 per cent of them actively searching for critical minerals.
The successful projects are set to focus largely on under-explored greenfields areas in the central and eastern parts of Western Australia.
Series 7 of the Energy Analysis Program has also kicked off, offering $125,000 to three successful projects planned in the Canning Basin.
Last year the co-funded programs saw success from a number of drilling programs.
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