The Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations program is awarding a record $4 million in co-funding designed to encourage further exploration and new discoveries in underexplored areas and to drive development in areas of known resource endowment.
Round 19 is supporting 34 projects from 26 companies in the following categories: 16 greenfields drilling programs, 4 brownfields drilling programs, 9 regional geophysical surveys, 3 innovative targeting programs, and 2 mineral characterisation and testwork. Nine of the 26 companies have never previously received co-funding. The programs are targeting a broad range of commodities across the Northern Territory, including copper, gold, rare earths, lithium, tungsten, uranium, and zinc. Nearly 60% of the co-funded programs involve drilling, reflecting an increased focus this round on testing new targets across the NT.
Round 19 projects will be completed within the 2026/27 financial year. Upon completion of the projects, a report on the work undertaken is submitted to the Northern Territory Geological Survey. The report and data become publicly accessible 6 months from the completion of the field work, or on the 1 September 2026 (whichever is earlier).
To find out more about the successful projects, visit round 19 2026-27.