Minns Labor Government’s $2.5 million | Term Deposits

The Minns Labor Government has launched a new $2.5 million co-investment seed funding program
to unearth the state’s subsequent main essential minerals initiatives.
The new Critical Minerals Exploration Program is a key half of the federal government’s Critical Minerals
and High-Tech Metals Strategy and highlights its dedication to an industry which gives highquality
jobs in regional NSW and mines the supplies needed to construct the net-zero future.
NSW essential minerals initiatives contribute to world provide chains that are required to fabricate
merchandise like wind generators, batteries and photo voltaic panels and are needed to affect the vitality grid.
There are already dozens of essential minerals initiatives at totally different phases of the exploration,
planning and manufacturing pipeline throughout NSW, together with:

• 190 exploration titles which might be at the moment being explored, looking for the subsequent large essential
  minerals, high-tech metals or uncommon earth components deposit.
• More than 10 essential minerals and high-tech metals initiatives which might be prepared for investment.

This contains initiatives like ASM’s Dubbo Project looking for uncommon earth components and a
scandium project in Nyngan. These initiatives need round $7.6 billion in capital investment
worth and are anticipated to generate about 4,600 jobs during construction and a pair of,700 ongoing
jobs.

13 lively main metals and important minerals mines in NSW, using more than 6,000
people, largely throughout the state’s Central West and Far West.

The $2.5 million fund requires a 50% co-investment from profitable candidates and can encourage
more exploration within the state, supporting firms to undertake drilling, geophysics and
geochemistry, all essential steps to find out the dimensions of a essential minerals deposit.

The $2.5 million Exploration Program has 4 funding streams:

• Exploration Geochemistry: Up to $50,000 per project
• Exploration Geophysics: Up to $70,000 per project
• Exploration Drilling – much less than 250 metres depth: Up to $150,000 per project
• Exploration Drilling – better than 250 metres depth: Up to $250,000 per project

Exploration geochemistry, geophysics and drilling are important instruments that explorers use to find
new essential minerals deposits. Intense exploration actions are required to verify the power of
a minerals deposit and the viability of a project earlier than it undertakes the planning course of.

Applications for the co-investment fund open at 10am Wednesday, 16 April 2025 and close at 5pm
on Monday 30 June 2025, with a requirement that initiatives be accomplished by 30 September 2027.

Interested events are inspired to use and may discover more data at
https://nsw.gov.au/critical-minerals-exploration-program

For additional data on the Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy 2024-35 go to
https://nsw.gov.au/criticalminerals

Quotes attributable to Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos

“This important funding will help get more explorers out into regional NSW to find new deposits of
critical minerals.

“The Exploration Program is about supporting a pipeline of investment, helping explorers with
discoveries that can lead to new opportunities for mining, processing and manufacturing.

“Critical minerals are going to power the net-zero future. Whether it’s solar panels, wind turbines,
batteries or electric vehicles, they all need materials and minerals that are found right here in NSW.

“NSW has a long history with mining and this $2.5 million co-investment fund points to its bright
future.

“I encourage experts and explorers from around the world to come here, partner with the NSW
Government, and kick off a new round of groundbreaking discoveries.

Quotes attributable to Association of Mining and Exploration Companies CEO Warren Pearce:

“Exploration is undoubtedly the lifeblood of the mining industry. It’s highly speculative, high risk but
has also proved highly rewarding for Australia. We need incentives like this from the New South
Wales Government to discover new critical minerals deposits.

“AMEC and our members welcome this co-investment fund from the State Government. It shows a
high level of understanding and listening to the concerns of industry from Minister Houssos.

“If we can get it right at the ground level, New South Wales can position itself as a major player in
the critical minerals space.”

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