The Queensland Government has increased their spending on mineral exploration in a bid to create more jobs in the State.
Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said 17 mining exploration companies will share $2 million to help fund 20 collaborative drilling projects.
Fifteen of the projects are based in north and north-west Queensland, two in central Queensland and the remainder in western and south-eastern parts of the state.
“New exploration will provide a boost to the mining industry in Queensland, today’s exploration leads to tomorrow’s mines and jobs,” Robertson said.
“Collaborative Drilling Initiative grants bring government and industry together to accelerate testing of geological targets by drilling in under-explored parts of Queensland.
“The grants program provides up to $150,000 per project to assist in the testing of potentially mineralised targets by drilling.”
It is the third round of grants, with 38 companies previously getting more than $ 4 million for 48 drilling projects.