Mineral exploration activity in the Northern Territory remains strong, especially for gold and copper.
Mineral exploration expenditure in the Northern Territory (NT) for 2020-21 was $128 million, up 4% from the previous year. The June 2021 quarter saw the highest quarterly exploration expenditure recorded in the Territory since 2012, reflecting strong recovery in the exploration sector following a difficult year in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2019, there has been a substantial uptake in new exploration tenure in the Barkly Tableland region, east and northeast of Tennant Creek, and across the greater McArthur Basin.
Mineral exploration expenditure in 2020-21: $128 million
Proportion of exploration in greenfields areas: 29%
Granted exploration licences (1 January 2021): 773
