The Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations program aims to support exploration programs that improve geological knowledge in underexplored areas of the Territory or target and expand areas of known resource endowment. In round 15, the Territory Government has awarded a record $3.06 million in grants to support 29 projects from 23 companies.
As part of the $9.5 million per annum Resourcing the Territory initiative, the Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations program has increased the total pool of funding per annum, increased the funding amounts available for individuals projects, and expanded eligible exploration activities. In addition to last year's brownfields diamond drilling category to support drilling near or below identified resources, round 15 includes a brownfields targeting category to allow camp or prospect scale geophysical acquisition or geochemical sampling near known deposits to generate targets for drilling that may have the potential to increase geological understanding or add to known mineral resources.
The projects funded under the Geophysics and Drilling Collaboration program include 6 greenfields drilling programs, 8 greenfields geophysics programs, 7 brownfields drilling programs and 8 brownfields targeting programs. These projects span the Pine Creek region, Tennant Creek region, Barkly Tableland and central Australia targeting a wide range of commodities including gold, copper, lithium, vanadium, nickel, zinc and uranium.
Find out more about round 15 successful applicants and exploration grants.