A new round of mineral exploration is about to kick off in the North-West with the help of state government grants.
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Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said seven mineral and resource companies had gained more than $600,000 to support drilling projects for copper, lead, zinc, silver and gold.
“A mix of junior and internationally renowned companies will start work this month, with positive flow on effects for local business and communities,” Dr Lynham said.
“Boosting investment in exploration is a way of maintaining the pipeline of metals production from the North West mineral province to eventually replace older mines.”
The seven companies are: Ripple Resources Pty Ltd, Teck Australia, Yappar Resources Pty Ltd, Footprint Resources Pty Ltd, Sector Projects Pty Ltd, Red Metal Limited and Mt Dockerell Mining.
Dr Lynham said the North West Mineral Province Taskforce had identified this as a priority.
The news comes a day after the North West Star reported Mount Isa member Robbie Katter queried what was happening to the Taskforce recommendations in parliament last week.
The new funds come from the long-running collaborative drilling initiative, which has supported almost $27 million worth of exploration in remote areas of the state, including the north-west.
“Funding through the Collaborative Drilling Initiative enables companies to undertake projects in frontier areas, projects that may have never seen the light of day due to the costs and risks involved in exploring in remote areas,” Dr Lynham said.
“These explorers are seeking new discoveries in areas that are deeper and more difficult to explore than in the past, using the best science available.”
Previous projects have discovered almost 40 significant mineral deposits in the state’s remote corners, including a significant silver-lead-zinc deposit as large as South 32’s Cannington mine.
“I look forward to seeing what new results emerge in the north-west,” Dr Lynham said.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
