The Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations (GDC) program is part of the $26 million Resourcing the Territory initiative to attract and support resources exploration in the Territory.
Round 14 sees the funding criteria expanded to include drilling in brownfields areas (close to known mineral deposits), as recommended in the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission report.
The program provides co-funding assistance of 50 per cent of the program cost up to $125,000 for selected greenfields diamond drilling programs and up to $100,000 for selected brownfields diamond drilling, greenfields reverse-circulation drilling and geophysical acquisition projects. All reports, drillcore and data from the projects are made public six months after the completion of project field work.
This program aims to:
- address gaps in the critical understanding of the geology of the NT
- share greenfields exploration risk with industry
- support brownfields exploration to advance project development
- encourage projects that may open up new areas for exploration and ensure the data is made available to the wider exploration community.
The GDC funding is for projects to be undertaken during 2021, and applications will close on 3 May 2021.
For guidelines, assessment criteria and to apply for round 14 visit grantsnt.nt.gov.au.