The Hodgman Liberal Government will unlock new jobs in North-West Tasmania by providing a $2 million boost to the mining sector which will help cover helicopter costs for mining exploration, underpinning the next generation of mineral discoveries in Tasmania.
The mining and minerals processing sector has played a vital role in the North-West for more than 100 years and is a key part of its economic and social fabric.
The sector currently employs 6300 people statewide and accounted for 55 per cent—or more than $1.5 billion—of Tasmania’s exports in 2016-17.
Under the Hodgman Liberal Government, we want to see this success continue for another 100 years. We recognise that we need to work closely with the industry to do so, and know that the key to the future of the industry is discovering new ore deposits.
That’s why we will invest $2 million over four years in a co-funded program to ease the burden of drilling costs.
We will also make it easier for prospective mining areas to be reached, by covering certain helicopter transportation costs.
Program applications will open in the first half of the 2018-19 financial year with the intention of supporting works in the next drilling season.
The latest mineral exploration spending figures from the ABS for the December 2017 quarter show a pleasing 23.7% increase in spending over the previous quarter and an astounding more than 140% increase over the December quarter in 2016.
We are committed to further growing these figures.
There is no stronger or more consistent supporter of the mining sector than the Hodgman Liberal Government.