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QLD Collaborative Exploration Initiative - Round 9

QLD Collaborative Exploration Initiative – Round 9

CEI Round 9 is open for applications until 11 December 2024.

The following funding options have been announced:

  • $250,000 (+GST) for individual applications.
  • $400,000 (+ GST) for joint applications.

Co-funding is not required; however, only eligible direct activity costs will be reimbursed.

The CEI offers merit-based funding to encourage industry investment in under-explored areas of Queensland. It supports innovative exploration techniques and promotes the discovery of future minerals, aiming to enhance the resource industry's success by expanding knowledge of the region's geology and resource potential.

Key Requirements

The Queensland Government has committed $17.5 million to help exploration companies in the state uncover future mines that will produce the essential minerals and metals needed globally.

Eligible minerals funded under CEI:

Transition materials: Cobalt, Copper, Hafnium, Iridium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Niobium, Osmium, Palladium, Platinum, Rhenium, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Scandium, Tantalum, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Yttrium.

Metals: Alumina, Beryllium, Bismuth, Gallium, Indium, Lithium, Magnesium, Tin, Zinc, Zirconium.

Metalloids: Antimony, Germanium, Silica.

Non-Metals: Selenium, Graphite, Sulphur, Phosphorus

Additional: Phosphate, Light Rare Earths (LREE), Heavy Rare Earths (HREE)

Coal, Gas and Petroleum will not be funded under CEI.

What is eligible for funding?

Proposals must be delivered in whole, meaning all activities must not be combined, or depend on results from an earlier activity.

Examples of eligible activities is drilling, followed by a downhole EM survey to image any off-hole conductors, or establish the geometry of successful intercepts.

This is acceptable as the downhole EM survey will go ahead regardless of the drilling outcome, and the activities center on a single, coherent target.

What companies are eligible for funding?

To be eligible you must: 

  • Be the holder of operator of a granted Exploration Permit for Minerals (EPM), Mineral Development Lease (MDL) or Mining Lease (ML) in the State of Queensland.
  • Have an ABN/ACN.
  • Have sufficient funds and technical capacity to carry the program through to completion, prior to reimbursement of CEI payment.
  • Have access agreements with landholders initiated, in accordance with the 2023 Land Access Code.
  • Have relevant Environmental Authority (EA) in place for all program EPMs.
  • Native Title agreements (if applicable).
  • Complete or have progressed through a cultural heritage clearance review.
  • Have confirmed contractors (minimum 2 quotes for main activities).
  • Be in compliance with, but not limited to, Mineral Resources Act 1989, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003, Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and Native Title Act 1993.
  • Be in good standing with the QLD government (rent paid, activity and expenditure commitments consistently met etc).
  • Hold Public Liability Insurance for a minimum of $20 million dollars for the duration of the program.
  • Pass the Financial Probity check.

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.