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13/07/09Government investment in exploration proves its worth
Fifty-seven new exploration projects in north and north-west Queensland are focussing on gold, silver, base metals, nickel, molybdenum, iron, mineral sands and diamonds - thanks to the support of the Bligh Government.
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson said today that on top of this government initiative 18 mines and energy projects across Queensland are being streamlined with the potential to create 1600 construction jobs.
"The new exploration projects were made possible through the Bligh Government's Smart Mining - Future Prosperity program of direct grants to explorers," Mr Robertson said.
"In the first three rounds of these grant initiatives, 83 projects received more than $6.88 million and 20 technical successes have been reported to date," he said.
"In the 2009-10 Budget we continued our investment in the Smart Mining Future - Future Prosperity program with $11.97 million to further stimulate exploration in Queensland."
Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said the government's commitment in January to streamline mining projects is providing the mining industry with even further support during the global economic downturn.
"Sixteen mining and two petroleum projects are going through a streamlined but still rigorous tenure assessment and approval process to bring on regional investment," she said.
"The Bligh Government committed at the last election to maintain and create jobs and new exploration and projects mean the jobs of tomorrow.
"The streamlined projects range from significant expansions of existing mining and petroleum operations to greenfield applications.
"Queensland is one of the world's most prospective and premier exploration destinations and this investment will lead to potential new mines and gas fields and jobs for the future."
Ms Kiernan said the Government also will start a magnetotelluric survey over the recently discovered Millungera Basin to define its structure and its potential for geothermal energy reserves.
"This new untested sedimentary basin in the north-west between Cloncurry and Croydon was discovered in a collaborative project between state and federal geological surveys and part funded by the Bligh Government," she said.
Media contact: 07 3224 7332
Last Updated 03 November 2009
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