Western Australia’s mining industry will receive a boost from $3 million worth of Government co-investment in exploratory drilling.
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) expects that 35 exploration projects will receive up to $150,000 in funding from the initiative.
AMEC Vice President Peter Buck said the move will deliver excellent outcomes for the local industry and inject much needed funds to the State’s future royalties pipeline.
“Exploration is the key to the State’s economic and social future,” he said. “The new Government’s commitment will go a long way toward re-building investor confidence in WA’s mining sector.”
The initiative will allocate $20.5 million over four years to mineral exploration and work towards streamlining approvals processes.
Buck predicts the initiative will provide thousands of jobs and a royalties stream that will deliver infrastructure improvements that will benefit local communities and the State’s mining industry.
“The strategy will restore WA’s international reputation as a mining destination of choice,” Buck said.