9 June 2026
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is investing a record $4.09 million in exploration grants to support 34 projects across the Northern Territory.
The funding will help unlock new mineral discoveries, drive investment and strengthen the pipeline of future mining projects to grow the Territory economy.
The grants are part of the government’s plan to rebuild the economy by backing exploration, creating jobs and ensuring the Territory remains a leading destination for resource development.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing exploration, investment and local jobs, awarding a record $4.09 million in co-funding to support 34 exploration projects across the Northern Territory.
Round 19 of the Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations (GDC) program will support 26 companies to undertake innovative drilling, geophysical and geochemical programs as part of the Resourcing the Territory initiative.
Minister for Mining and Energy Gerard Maley said the record funding demonstrated the CLP Government’s commitment to growing the Territory’s resources sector and delivering on its plan to rebuild the economy.
“The resources sector is one of the key pillars of our economy, and we are backing industry to discover the next generation of Territory mining projects,” Minister Maley said.
“These grants will help ensure the Territory remains Australia’s most attractive destination for mineral exploration and development.
“From copper and gold to rare earths, uranium and tungsten, these projects will help unlock the Territory’s enormous mineral potential, support investment and create jobs for Territorians.
“These grants help build the pipeline of future projects that will keep our economy growing, create opportunities in regional communities and secure long-term prosperity for Territorians.”
Nearly 60 per cent of funded projects involve drilling, highlighting strong exploration activity and confidence in the Territory’s resource potential.
Minister Maley said the program was particularly important at a time when exploration companies face increasingly competitive global investment markets.
“We want companies choosing the Territory when they make investment decisions, and programs like this help make that happen,” he said.
“We’re encouraging companies to invest here, test new ideas and bring forward the discoveries that could become the mines of tomorrow.
“At the same time, we’re supporting Territory businesses, with 14 funded projects engaging local contractors and service providers through our Territory Supplier Incentive.”
The Territory Supplier Incentive will provide an additional $110,594 in funding to support Territory-based businesses delivering services such as earthworks, drilling and laboratory analysis.
Successful recipients include Tivan Limited, Prodigy Gold NL, Core Lithium, Daly Resources Pty Ltd and Agnico Eagle NT Pty Ltd, with projects spanning early-stage exploration through to near-development opportunities.
Tivan Limited Executive Chairman Grant Wilson said: “Tivan extends sincere thanks to the Northern Territory Government for its ongoing partnership and support of the Molyhil Tungsten Project, including this latest co-funded grant that will help progress our 2026 drill program.
“Since acquiring Molyhil, Tivan has rapidly advanced the project toward development, laying the foundations for a new critical minerals project that can deliver long-term benefits for Central Australia and the Territory.”
Prodigy Gold Managing Director Mark Edwards said: “Prodigy Gold appreciated the support from the Northern Territory Government through the Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations Program.
“Grants received from this program significantly increase our knowledge of the local and regional geology of our projects and could fast track the next major mining discovery.
“The co-funding allows Prodigy to accelerate exploration on one of the most prospective gold projects in the Tanami Region. We thank the Northern Territory Government and the Northern Territory Geological Survey for their continued support of mineral exploration and resource development in the Territory.”
The resources industry remains the Territory’s largest economic sector, contributing $8.4 billion to the economy and supporting more than 3,400 direct jobs. The Territory currently has 16 developing mining projects with a combined estimated capital investment of $6 billion.
