According to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, mineral exploration expenditure was up by 38% to $45.1 million in the December 2021 quarter, reporting the highest quarterly spend on mineral exploration in the Territory since 2012.
For the 2021 financial year, mineral exploration expenditure in the NT was $153.4 million, up 38 per cent on the figure of $110.8 million for 2020. This is the highest annual figure since 2011, and the third highest on record.
Gold exploration accounts for $78.2 million of the expenditure while activity is strongly increasing for copper, lithium and uranium exploration as well.
To find out more about mineral exploration in the Territory, visit https://resourcingtheterritory.nt.gov.au/
To view the ABS data, visit https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/mining/mineral-and-petroleum-exploration-australia/latest-release
View Minister Manison's press release,