National Party WA deputy leader Jacqui Boydell met with miners from Raglan Drilling and small-scale mining companies in Kalgoorlie yesterday to hear concerns over the continuation of the $130 million Exploration Incentive Scheme.
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Ms Boydell said the EIS initiative was “exceptionally important right across the State”.
“To see the minister (Bill Johnston) attend the Diggers and Dealers forum on Wednesday night, I would hope that he could give them some assurance that the scheme would continue,” she said.
“Australia needs some assurance and confidence from the Government that we can see some continued investment through Royalties for Regions, because regional WA contributes greatly to the State’s economy and we want to see that continue obviously.”
Under the EIS, the Government co-funds up to 50 per cent of greenfields drilling by exploration companies around WA up to $200,000 and $30,000 for prospectors, and has been credited with playing a role in the Nova nickel discovery on the Fraser Range and Guyere in the Yamarna Belt.
Eastern Goldfields Prospectors Association president Cranston Edwards has applied for funding for the first time and believes the EIS is necessary for prospecting, exploration and drilling.
“I have actually seen this work for prospectors. I think it’s actually paramount that it continues,” Ms Boydell said.
The EIS is a State Government initiative, supported under Royalties for Regions and supports innovative drilling projects to continue driving the discovery of new mineral deposits in WA.
Uncertainty lies ahead until all is revealed in September’s Budget.
