Western Australia’s Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has reviewed 64 applications for the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) co-funded drilling program.

Successful Round 20 applicants will receive up to $4.93 million for 41 projects, with the majority of projects located in the Eastern Goldfields, exploring for nickel and gold.

A third of the applicants are searching for battery commodities and this is dominated by nickel, or nickel-cobalt exploration. Other commodities include vanadium and lithium.

Applications listing potash as the exploration target are now a regular occurrence for co-funding. The applications reflect an emerging industry sector, which is being supported by the McGowan Government with the introduction of new lower tenure rental rates for mining leases.

Since it commenced in 2009, the EIS drilling program has offered funding to more than 940 projects resulting in more than 800,000 metres of drilling across the State.

The next round of the program opens in February 2020.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston praised the level of interest as a reflection of sector success.

“Collectively the 64 applicants requested nearly $8 million dollars for co-funded drilling reflecting positive activity in resource exploration, a great sign for Western Australia,” he said.

“It’s great to see such a diverse range of battery and traditional minerals, such as base metals and gold, with gold experiencing a strong market value this past financial year.