Exploration gets a boost in WA

Grants’ worth $6.6m have been allocated to 39 recipients of the 32nd round of the WA Government exploration incentive scheme (EIS) co-funded drilling program. 

By sharing the financial risk of early-stage exploration, the EIS enables companies to pursue high-potential projects that may otherwise be considered too risky or cost-prohibitive.   

The long running scheme is considered highly successful with Lord Resources reporting success under the previous round at its Ilgarari project, where two co-funded drillholes intersected primary copper mineralisation.  

Copper exploration has also yielded promising results for Redstone Resources, which recovered a 10m zone of continuous copper mineralisation from a co-funded diamond drillhole at its Chatsworth prospect, part of its West Musgrave project under round 29 of the scheme. 

WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael confirmed the successful applicants. 

“The [WA] Government is committed to positioning WA as a global supplier of critical and strategic minerals, with the strong interest in the EIS reflecting growing momentum across the sector to support the world’s clean energy future,” he said. 

“The EIS continues to drive early-stage discoveries, opening the door to new mines, regional jobs and long-term economic growth.  

“By reducing the financial risks of exploration, the EIS is helping to unlock the next generation of mineral projects that will power the world and deliver benefits for generations of Western Australians.” 

Applications for Co-funded Drilling Round 33, Co-funded Geophysics Venture 3 and Co-funded Energy Analysis Series 9 programs will open February 2 2026.