Applications are now open for round 13 of collaborative grants for exploration drilling and geophysics in the Northern Territory under the Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations program.
This program which is part of the $26 million Resourcing the Territory initiative is the biggest investment by any Territory Government into programs to attract and support resources exploration in the Territory.
More than 4400 Territorians work within the minerals industry, supporting more than 3.2 per cent of the Territory’s workforce.
The program provides co-funding assistance of 50 per cent of the program cost up to $125,000 for selected exploration diamond drilling programs and up to $100,000 for selected non-diamond drilling and geophysical acquisition projects.
This program aims to:
- Address gaps in the critical understanding of the geology of the NT;
- Share greenfields exploration risk with industry; and
- Encourage projects that may open up new areas for exploration and ensure the data is made available to the wider exploration community.
Round 12 awarded up to $1M in funding to eight exploration drilling projects and five geophysics projects from nine companies of which one was Darwin-based.
The resources sector, both in exploration and production, creates jobs, helps build our regions, grows wealth for Territorians, and contributes to improving essential infrastructure such as transport corridors.
The Geophysics and Drilling Collaboration project funding is for programs to be undertaken during 2020, and applications will close on 5 May 2020.
To apply for Round 13 visit grantsnt.nt.gov.au.
The successful applicants will be announced in late May 2020.
Quotes attributed to the Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Paul Kirby:
“Creating jobs for Territorians is this government’s number one priority.
“The minerals industry directly supports 4400 ongoing Territory jobs, and is one of the highest contributors to the NT economy, with mineral production worth $4.92 billion in the Territory over the last financial year.
“We know the Territory has been through tough, economic times. We are on the road to recovery and we are doing it with jobs not cuts. The information obtained from the collaborative grants program will be vital in attracting more investment and more jobs in mineral exploration across the region. This is excellent news for the Territory.”
