NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Exploration

NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Exploration

• Funds exploration in NSW by supporting projects that undertake drilling, geophysics and geochemistry
• Grants from $50,000-$250,000 per project, depending on stream
• Applications open until June 30th, 2025

The Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Exploration Program will invest $2.5 million over the next two years to encourage more exploration in NSW, by funding successful applicants to undertake drilling, geophysics and geochemistry.

Key Requirements

The program’s objective is to support the long-term sustainability of the NSW resources sector by encouraging mineral exploration and discovery to:

• ensure a sustainable economic resource pipeline for the state, particularly in greenfield and near mine site areas of the state
• test new geological ideas and models
• identify new deposits of Group 1, 6 and 10 minerals under the Mining Act 1992, with a focus on deposits of NSW Government priority metals as identified in the Strategy
• strengthen relationships between government and industry

All funding streams require a 50% company co-contribution.

Projects must be based in New South Wales.

What is eligible for funding?

The Exploration Program has the following funding streams:

• Exploration Geochemistry: Up to $50,000 per project
• Exploration Geophysics: Up to $70,000 per project
• Exploration Drilling – less than 250 metres depth: Up to $150,000 per project
• Exploration Drilling – greater than 250 metres depth: Up to $250,000 per project

Some examples of eligible project costs:

• Exploration geochemistry
— Survey costs including data acquisition and supporting costs
— Sampling costs including contractor costs
— Analysis and assay costs

• Exploration geophysics
— Study costs including supporting costs
— Acquisition and data processing

• Exploration drilling
— Costs relating to drilling including supporting costs such as mobilisation
— Drilling costs
— Sampling costs including drill hole sampling and assays

What companies are eligible for funding?

To be eligible for grant funding, an applicant must meet all the following requirements:

• be one of the following:

— a company incorporated in Australia
— a company limited by guarantee
— an incorporated trustee on behalf of a corporate trust
— an incorporated association or co-operative
— a partnership
— a sole trader
— an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation incorporated under the Corporations
(Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be registered for GST
• be a fit and proper person/legal entity
• not be insolvent, bankrupt or subject to ongoing legal proceedings
• hold a relevant title under the Mining Act 1992
• hold or commit to obtaining public liability insurance of not less than $20 million per occurrence
or hold equivalent or better self-insurance to the satisfaction of the Department, prior to
executing a funding deed with the Department
• if applicable, provide evidence of land access agreements in place to undertake the project
• declare in the application form that the applicant is not aware of any issues that could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government
• declare in the application form that the applicant is not aware of, or being subject to an active investigation under the Mining Act 1992
• be financially viable and able to provide a minimum 50% co-contribution
• be able to demonstrate technical capacity to deliver the proposed project
• have previous project delivery experience

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.