The Western Australian Government has announced the 50 successful applicants for round 30 of its exploration incentive scheme (EIS) co-funded drilling program.
Out of 50 successful applicants, which includes six prospectors, 17 of the companies are targeting battery minerals, including lithium and rare earths.
The $7.28 million worth of grants is for projects to be drilled between December 2024 and November 2025.
In announcing the successful companies last Friday, Western Australian Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael noted that it is “pleasing to see exploration expenditure in the state continue to increase, hitting a record $2.6 billion last year, with demand for critical minerals soaring on the back of global decarbonisation initiatives”.
Michael says that the race to find critical minerals is one that underlines the state government’s aims to position Western Australia as a “dynamic global supplier of future battery minerals and materials” .
“The EIS continues to support major mineral discoveries, with each project increasing the odds of opening new mines and creating jobs in regional communities.
“Our mining sector has once again demonstrated the significance of mineral exploration to Western Australia’s prosperity with mineral sales reaching $192 billion in 2023.”
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) reported favourable outcomes from its EIS co-funded drilling earlier this month, after confirming a belt-scale mineral system at its Mulga Tank Project in Western Australia.
On 17 October, Western Mines released the last of its assay results from the phase-three reverse circulation drilling program, that was co-funded, at the project.
Managing Director Caedmon Marriott said the results provide plenty of “exciting new information” for ongoing targeting work and geological modelling at Mulga Tank.
A full list of successful round 30 applicants can be found on the EIS website.
The Western Australian Government says applications for round 31 of the program, series eight of the energy analysis program and venture two of the co-funded geophysics program, will open February next year.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
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