The Andrews Labor Government is inviting licensed explorers in northern Victoria to apply for grants to search for gold and base metals in the northern part of the Bendigo geological province.
The funding is available on an industry-matched basis to mineral exploration companies as part of the second round of grants from our $15 million TARGET minerals exploration program.
There could be twice as many gold deposits held deep underground, according to latest academic research.
10 projects are already sharing in more than $2 million in grants from the funding round allocated to explore for copper, other base metals and gold in Victoria’s Stavely geological province in western Victoria.
TARGET grants will cover up to half the cost of eligible exploration activities – including geophysical surveys, drilling and sampling analysis – with the companies funding the balance by their own means.
The program is backed by rigorous studies conducted by the Geological Survey of Victoria, the Government’s own experts in mapping and interpreting the state’s geology.
The geological area to be explored stretches north of Bendigo to the state border, encompassing an area of approximately 14,000km2.
Applications close on 10 January 2017.
More information can be found at:
Quotes attributable to Minister for Resources Wade Noonan
“The Andrews Labor Government is taking action to promote investment and create jobs for regional Victoria.”
“Our TARGET grant program provides significant incentive for exploration companies to uncover what lies beneath the surface.”
“Bendigo has a rich mining history. These grants will help accelerate the exploration needed to uncover new opportunities for the future.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020