NSW Minerals Council Exploration Forum ‘The Rocks and Beyond’

Over 100 explorers, geologists, industry professionals and government representatives attended the 2017 NSW Mining Exploration Forum ‘The Rocks and Beyond’ at NSW Parliament House earlier this week.

 

NSW Resources Minister Don Harwin also attended to support our explorers and deliver a ministerial address. 

 

The Minister to the Forum that, “Since this Government came to power in 2011, 60 new mining projects or expansions to existing operations have been approved, which has realised close to $8 billion in new capital expenditure for regional NSW…I can assure you that, as Resources Minister, I am very alive to the importance your industry plays in regional NSW, underlining why exploration and a pipeline of future projects is so important.”

 

The Minister outlined recent improvements in exploration activity, telling the Forum that, “According to ABS statistics, NSW’s share of national mineral exploration expenditure in 2016 was $122.4 million – 8.6 percent of Australia’s total and the highest in a decade.”

 

It was also pleasing to hear the Minister outline his support for the Co-operative Drilling program. “This is an initiative that promotes the NSW Government’s acquisition and delivery of pre-competitive geoscience. The Cooperative Drilling grants program targets gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, diamond, ruby, sapphire, lead, and even graphite and mineral sands. The government will invest $1.85 million in grants to mineral explorers and provide up to 100 per cent of per metre drilling costs, capped at $200,000 for individual projects,” the Minister said.

 

During the industry panel session, NSW Land and Water Commissioner, Jock Laurie, discussed the importance of managing community expectations.

 

“It’s really important for us to have sensitivity when dealing with people, as exploration could sometimes lead to something or it leads to nothing. Not knowing what to do or expect, it could create a lot of angst in the community. However the industry itself really understands the importance of making sure they’ve got a very strong relationship dealing with people in a fair and reasonable manner,” Mr Laurie said.

 

Congratulations to Peak Gold Mines who won this year’s 2017 Explorer of the Year Award. We also congratulate our two other Award finalists, Impact Minerals Limited and Heron Resources Limited.