Western Australia has awarded A$11.2-million in grants to 77 exploration projects under its flagship exploration incentive scheme (EIS), reinforcing the state’s push to secure future mineral supply amid global competition for critical resources.

The latest round of funding – spread across co-funded drilling, geophysics and energy analysis programmes – marks the first allocation since the EIS budget was doubled earlier this year, following a campaign commitment by Mines Minister David Michael.

“The EIS is a highly successful programme with a proven track record of growing mineral exploration in Western Australia,” said Association of Mining and Exploration Companies CEO Warren Pearce.

“Explorers are the lifeblood of the mining industry. Without them, we can’t find the mines of the future and the technology for future generations.”

Since its inception in 2009, the EIS has awarded more than A$102-million in grants, administered by the Geological Survey of Western Australia within the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety – soon to be renamed the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration. The scheme supports greenfield exploration by co-investing in drilling campaigns, generating precompetitive data, and funding research and development activities. According to government estimates, every A$1-million invested through the EIS returns A$31-million to the state’s economy.

The latest round saw funding awarded to a diverse mix of companies, including junior explorers and established miners. Among the recipients were Ausgold, Black Cat Syndicate, Cannon Resources, Critica, Dreadnought Resources, Encounter Resources, Gold Road Resources, Greatland Gold, Hamelin Gold and Hastings Technology Metals. Others include Lunnon Metals, Metal Hawk, Mineral Resources, Norseman Resources, Northern Minerals, Orange Minerals, RareX, Sipa Resources, Stavely Minerals, Strata Minerals, Strickland Metals, Trek Metals, Wildcat Resources and Yandal Resources.

Pearce said support such as the EIS was essential as the industry sought to replace aging mines with new greenfield discoveries, ensuring continued employment, regional development and the minerals needed for the global energy transition.