Mine with vehicles

Exploration Activity

Mineral exploration activity in the Northern Territory remains strong, especially for gold and copper.

Mineral exploration expenditure in the Northern Territory (NT) for 2023 was $228.1 million, up 14% from the previous year. It is only slightly lower than the highest annual figure of $228.4 million in 2011. The December 2023 quarter was $63.1 million, 10% on the same quarter in 2022, and the second highest figure for a December quarter in the Territory. The past 12 months has seen a a significant increase in exploration in greenfields areas and for commodities such as lithium, rare earths, uranium and copper.

  • Mineral exploration expenditure in 2023: $228.1 million (up from $199.9 million in 2022)
  • Northern Territory’s share of Australian mineral exploration expenditure has increased to 5.34% in 2023 (up from 4.92% in 2022)
  • Proportion of exploration in greenfields areas: 45% and significantly higher than the national average of 31%
  • Granted exploration licences (1 January 2023): 1109 (up from 925 at 1 January 2022).

View the current NT mineral exploration titles and land status map PDF (2.5 MB).

View the recent NT exploration highlights map PDF (638.9 KB)

Download the paper and presentation through GEMIS for the Highlights of mineral and petroleum exploration and development in 2022 from the AGES 2023 proceedings.