The New Frontiers Exploration Program provides explorers support to search for deposits of metallic minerals including critical minerals and high-tech metals in NSW.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $100,000
- Application opened: 2 September 2022
- Application closed: 31 October 2022
Program objective
The program is intended to support the long-term sustainability of the NSW resources sector by encouraging mineral exploration and discovery that will:
- ensure a sustainable economic resource pipeline for the state, particularly in greenfields areas of the state
- test new geological ideas and models and/or exploration in regions of significant cover
- identify new critical minerals and high-tech metals deposits in NSW
- create stronger relationships between government and industry.
This program is administered by Department of Regional NSW.
Eligibility
Applications are encouraged from a wide range of active NSW exploration companies holding an appropriate title in NSW. You must be a legal entity to be eligible for funding and have suitable land access arrangements in place.
The NSW Government will allocate $1.5 million in round 5 of the program. The program provides co-funding of 50% of total drilling program costs and/or exploration geophysics costs.
Types of projects funded under this grant
The program will provide grants to successful applicants for exploration drilling and geophysical programs (group 1, 6, and 10 minerals under the Mining Act 1992 only) that demonstrate strong prospectivity, sound financial planning and a proven technical base.
The maximum funding available to any individual applicant is $100,000 for drilling programs and $50,000 for geophysical acquisition. The maximum amount available to any single applicant is $150,000.
If applying for multiple projects, applicants must submit separate applications and include only one type of activity (drilling or geophysics) per application.
Most recent recipients
What was approved
Approved for Anchor Resources Limited
Core drilling program for the McKellar Project.
$100,000 was approved by
Chief Executive Officer, Mining Exploration and Geoscience, Department of Regional NSWDate approved
December 2022Location of the project
Cobar Shire CouncilLocation of the recipient
Council of the City of SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
21
Applications received
42
New Frontiers Exploration Program
Program term
31/12/2024What was approved
Approved for Australian Consolidated Gold Holdings Pty Ltd
Conduct a geophysical survey at Duck Creek
$45,500 was approved by
Chief Executive Officer, Mining Exploration and Geoscience, Department of Regional NSWDate approved
December 2022Location of the project
Bogan Shire CouncilLocation of the recipient
Council of the City of SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
21
Applications received
42
New Frontiers Exploration Program
Program term
31/12/2024What was approved
Approved for Australian Consolidated Gold Holdings Pty Ltd
Core drilling program at Duck Creek
$100,000 was approved by
Chief Executive Officer, Mining Exploration and Geoscience, Department of Regional NSWDate approved
December 2022Location of the project
Bogan Shire CouncilLocation of the recipient
Council of the City of SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
21
Applications received
42
New Frontiers Exploration Program
Program term
31/12/2024What was approved
Approved for Bowdens Silver Pty Limited
Seismic target drilling for the Bowdens Silver Project
$100,000 was approved by
Chief Executive Officer, Mining Exploration and Geoscience, Department of Regional NSWDate approved
December 2022Location of the project
Mid-Western Regional CouncilLocation of the recipient
Mid-Western Regional CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
21
Applications received
42
New Frontiers Exploration Program
Program term
31/12/2024What was approved
Approved for Bowdens Silver Pty Limited
Conduct seismic survey to north and northwest of Bowdens deposit
$50,000 was approved by
Chief Executive Officer, Mining Exploration and Geoscience, Department of Regional NSWDate approved
December 2022Location of the project
Mid-Western Regional CouncilLocation of the recipient
Mid-Western Regional CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
21
Applications received
42
New Frontiers Exploration Program
Program term
31/12/2024What your application needs to include
Applications must be completed via the application form, which requires details of the applicant, the project plan, and completion of the technical assessment criteria.
Where an application has not been submitted using the application form, the department reserves the right to deem the application as non-conforming and set it aside from further consideration at its absolute discretion.
Applicants may make multiple applications for funding through the program, based on different projects in their exploration programs. Prospects within the same exploration licence or that are clearly for the same target may be considered as single projects and will be considered as 1 project for grant purposes.
Minimum requirements are specified in sections 2 to 5 of the application form.
Technical assessment will be carried out using a weighted assessment schedule using the technical assessment criteria in section 6 of the application form.
Each of the criteria has a different weighting (stated as a percentage). Each criterion will be scored out of 10. The score given for each criterion will be multiplied by the weighting and ranked.
Applicants must address each criteria specifically. All decisions made by the department (after recommendations from the assessment panel) will be final.
- Describe how your proposed program tests sound geological models and innovative concepts and ideas. 30%
- Describe how your proposed program advances exploration in previously under-explored areas and/or targets critical minerals. For example, does the program test an area previously untested, undrilled, under-drilled or where previous work was ineffective? 35%
- Describe the work you have already undertaken to define the exploration targets. 25%
- Provide details of the proposed work program and the anticipated information that will be acquired as part of the exploration program (For example, element suite to be assayed, downhole geophysical methods and modelling, petrology, geochronology, isotopic analysis, etc). 10%
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Departmental financial delegate as outlined in Section 12 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983.
Successful applicants will be informed by email and must sign a funding deed with the department. All funding deeds must be completed within eight weeks of receipt, otherwise the funds may be offered to other projects.
Quarterly project logistical reporting is described in the funding deed, and a template included. Reporting requirements in the funding deed must be completed before grant funds will be paid.
Selected details of the successful applicant’s projects (including the prospect location and description, company name and the amount of funding awarded) may be published on the department’s website as part of legislative reporting obligations. Prior to publication, the department will consult applicants about information that may be confidential.
Reporting to the Australian Stock Exchange by successful applicants in relation to any New Frontiers Exploration Program project must be first reviewed by the program manager via cooperative.drilling@regional.nsw.gov.au
The NSW Government requires you to have full, appropriate insurance cover, as described in the application form, before commencing your drilling or geophysical project.
Support and contact
Email: cooperative.drilling@regional.nsw.gov.au
Postal Address: 66 Harrington Street, The Rocks, NSW, 2000