‘Accelerated Discovery Initiative’ opening new exploration frontiers in SA

South Australia is calling on mineral exploration companies to submit innovative proposals to Round Two of the Accelerated Discovery Initiative.

Minister for Energy and Mining Dan van Holst Pellekaan said the second round of the globally recognised initiative will provide $4.5 million to partner with explorers undertaking frontier exploration projects across South Australia.

Funding filip

“Following the success of round 1, the State Government has increased funding of round 2 to help re-ignite the South Australian Exploration sector in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

“The South Australian Government recognises the importance of a successful and sustained exploration sector in meeting the government’s objective of growing resource exports.

“Embracing innovation and collaboration to advance exploration activity is essential, and fast-tracking remote mineral discovery,” Minister van Holst Pellekaan said.

“Challenging conventional thinking is the cornerstone of the State Government’s approach to encouraging resources exploration, and will see South Australia continue its trajectory as one of the most sustainable and technologically advanced exploration sectors in the world.

“New ideas, models and theories that were generated in the South Australian Government’s ExploreSA: Gawler Challenge is redefining mineral exploration providing exciting new targets for explorers to test.

“The State Government is determined to continue pushing the boundaries of traditional exploration, and the Accelerated Discovery Initiative builds on this pioneering spirit by encouraging proposals that encompass both current and emerging technologies and exploration techniques.”

The Minister for Energy and Mining said the fund is designed to support collaboration and innovative technologies to generate and test new exploration ideas and increase new data sets that will accelerate data sharing amongst the exploration sector.

“South Australia’s international leadership in exploration innovation has ensured stable production and the integration of new methodologies in mineral exploration.

“Traditional government co-funding mineral exploration programs have focused on drill targets, where the Accelerated Discovery Initiative reflects the changing drivers in exploration with a heavy emphasis on new technologies, scientific endeavour and upskilling to boost discovery and reduce risk, as well as support for Aboriginal employment in the exploration sector,” he said.

Applications for Round Two Accelerated Discovery Initiative will open from 27 November. For more information go to the DEM website.