NT Mining Minister Gerard Maley announced Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations grant program

Up to $3m has been put towards a program aimed at addressing geoscientific knowledge gaps, with Mining and Energy Minister Gerard Maley declaring the government is ‘backing our resources sector’.

Mining and Energy Minister Gerard Maley says the government is “backing” the Territory’s resources sector.

Up to $3 million has been put towards a program aimed at addressing geoscientific knowledge gaps, with Mining and Energy Minister Gerard Maley declaring the government is “backing our resources sector”.

On Tuesday, the Finocchiaro Government announced the opening of its 2025 Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations grant program, which was launched with a view to advance exploration activity and accelerate the discovery of resources across the Territory.

The program, which provides co-funding up to 50 per cent of direct claimable project costs was hailed by Mr Maley.

Mr Maley says the investment is “instrumental” to propping up the economy. Picture: Supplied

“The NT Government is backing our resources sector because we know this is what will underpin our economy, creating opportunities for businesses and for local jobs across the Territory,” he said.

“This investment in our exploration sector is instrumental for our economy, and with the potential for Territory’s critical minerals set to increase, a minimum of $2 million of this funding will be directed into projects targeting critical minerals.”

Of note, the GDC program awards co-funding of up to 50 per cent of the cost of drilling – both greenfields and brownfields – regional scale geophysical surveys, innovative exploration targeting and advancing critical minerals projects.

Recent co-funded drilling projects have contributed to the discovery of new critical minerals resources, including at Leliyn project near Pine Creek and in the Barkley.

Additionally, this year includes an increase in the capped amount of co-funding for regional-scale geophysics from $100k to $150k.

Applications for round 18 close Monday April 28, 2025.

For more information, visit grantsnt.nt.gov.au/grants/round-18

Originally published as NT Mining Minister Gerard Maley announced Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations grant program