During last night's Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council (TMEC) conference I announced the release of the guidelines and application form for the Exploration Drilling Grant Initiative (EDGI).
Funding of $2 million has been allocated in this year’s State Budget for the EDGI.
The program was developed to support the increased development of new mining opportunities in Tasmania.
The mining sector is a key pillar of Tasmania’s economy, providing 55 per cent of our exports and supporting thousands of jobs in regional communities.
The Hodgman Liberal Government has set a target to double new mining ventures in the State over five years, and the EDGI is designed to encourage increased ‘greenfield’ mineral exploration.
Grants will be used to fund up to 50 per cent of direct drilling costs incurred on successful programs.
We are a strong supporter of the mining industry, and we have provided previous support to this important industry via:
Importantly, jobs are being created across this important industry.
Grange Resources’ Savage River operation has added 54 new jobs as a result of increased operations. The new mine at Rogetta will create more than 200 jobs during construction, and up to 100 permanent positions after approvals were granted.
The restart of operations at Avebury mine, announced in July, will create more than 200 jobs, and the recent announcement that Hellyer Gold mine would re-open and commence processing tailings will create up to 50 ongoing jobs.
Confidence and investment have returned to the industry under the Hodgman Liberal Government, and we want to continue this momentum.
Applications open on Monday 6 September, and further details can be found on the MRT website: http://www.mrt.tas.gov.au/portal/home