The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (Amec) has welcomed the announcement from the Western Australian government to double the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) from a A$9-million to an A$18-million programme.

In a statement issued after the announcement on Thursday, Amec acting CEO Neil van Drunen said the EIS was a "highly successful programme with a proven track record of funding winners".

“Doubling the money for this programme is doubling the chance that Western Australia will discover more minerals, that leads to more mines and more jobs.”

“As we look to replenish end-of-life mines with new greenfield exploration discoveries, we need to support mineral exploration - a long-term, high-risk activity.”

The EIS has been operating since 2009, providing A$102-million in grant funding to date. It is managed by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) through the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA).

The scheme aims to support Western Australia exploration projects through direct co-investment in drilling programmes, provision of precompetitive scientific information as well as support for research and development activities.

“Explorers are the lifeblood of the mining industry. Without them we can’t find the mines of the future and the technology for future generations.”

“For every A$1-million invested in the EIS, there is an estimated A$31-million return to the WA economy,” said Van Drunen.

The announcement also includes an additional A$2.5-million to be provided for the purchasing of specialist equipment for DEMIRS. This includes technology targeted to help reduce exploration costs and accelerate exploration.

“This initiative is designed to assist explorers do what they do best, find minerals in the ground.

“If we can accelerate more exploration in the greenfield regions of WA, we will also be assisting with the transition to net zero emissions by 2050," said Van Drunen.

Amec said it would also continue its advocacy at the state level and working with the federal government to extend the national Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive (JMEI), currently being considered in the Federal Budget process.

“The next step in supporting our hard-working explorers is for the federal government to continue the JMEI, bringing with it a multitude of benefits for the nation.”