Australian Bureau of Statistics data released yesterday shows overall mineral expenditure grew in every quarter of 2020 despite the challenges of COVID-19. 
Total mineral expenditure grew 1.2 per cent in the recent December quarter, or $9.1 million, to $754m.
Greenfield expenditure fell 4.5% ($11.5m) to $246m and brownfield expenditure rose 4.2% ($20.6m) to $508m. Total exploration expenditure was similar to the December 2019 quarter, with an increase of $1m.
Exploration for selected base metals (copper, silver, lead, zinc, nickel and cobalt) recorded the biggest rise, up 12.5 per cent, or $17.2m, to $155m.
Gold exploration also continued its upward trend, jumping from $356.1m to $369.1m in the quarter, representing a rise of 3.6 per cent.
Iron ore exploration dropped slightly from $111m to $110.6m in the quarter.
Total expenditure in the quarter grew in Victoria by 23 per cent, South Australia by 22 per cent, the Northern Territory by 16 per cent and New South Wales by 7.8 per cent.
Exploration expenditure in Queensland dropped by 7.8 per cent and Tasmania by 3 per cent.
WA’s mineral exploration dipped slightly in the December quarter at $480m (from $483m).
