Annual Report 2016-17

WA’s minerals sector remains a significant employer in the State, with 108,930 people directly employed in mining and exploration as at 30  June in 2016–17.

Ensuring continued investment in the resources industry

Encouraging exploration and working with industry to develop innovative projects is critical for maintaining investment in Western Australia’s mining and petroleum industry.

The Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) is a State Government initiative that aims to encourage exploration in WA for the long-term sustainability of the State’s resources sector.

The main aim is to stimulate increased private sector resource exploration, leading to new mineral and energy discoveries. Most of the activities in the EIS are focused on underexplored greenfield regions.

Since 2009, the EIS has delivered an increase in the coverage of Western Australia by aeromagnetic surveys to 100 per cent; regional medium spaced gravity coverage has increased from 8 per cent to more than 50 per cent; and more than 50 major reports have been published.

The Scheme’s Co-Funded Drilling Program has also supported more than 555,000 metres of exploration drilling, which has contributed to at least 20 new discoveries including the Nova Bollinger mine, Dusk Til Dawn, Mt Fisher East, Calingiri, Double Magic, Minyari Dome and Bombora deposits.

EIS Co-Funded Drilling Program

EIS Co-Funded Drilling Program infographic

Section highlights

DMP has commenced a major legislation reform initiative Petroleum 2020 to modernise and streamline the State’s petroleum and geothermal legislation to better reflect developments in the petroleum industry.