Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Exploration Program - Round 1

The Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Exploration Program seeks to promote investment in NSW minerals through co-investment in underexplored areas to search for deposits of metallic minerals and critical minerals and high-tech metals.

The objective of the Program is to the 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 Priority Metals as identified in the Strategy, and
• strengthen relationships between government and industry.

Who can apply

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

1. 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.
2. have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
3. be registered for GST
4. be a fit and proper person/legal entity
5. not be insolvent, bankrupt or subject to ongoing legal proceedings
6. hold a relevant title under the Mining Act 1992
7. 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
8. if applicable, provide evidence of land access agreements in place to undertake the project
9. declare in the application form that the applicant is not aware of any issues which could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government
10. declare in the application form that the applicant is not aware of, or being subject to an active investigation under the Mining Act 1992
11. be financially viable and able to provide a minimum 50% co-contribution
12. be able to demonstrate technical capacity to deliver the proposed project
13. have previous project delivery experience