Current exploration activity
There are more than 670 mineral exploration licences currently in force in NSW These licenses cover more than 90,000 km2 or 11.26% of NSW land area.
The level of exploration activity is affected to a great extent by world commodity prices and current and predicted economic growth trends. The strong growth of the Chinese economy between 2010 and 2015 drove a significant increase in demand for mineral resources. The opportunities still abound to the astute resource investor/explorer.
The state is coming to be recognised internationally as a major minerals resource province with resources of copper, gold, zinc and rare earths, in addition to a major source of thermal and coking coal.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports private mineral exploration expenditure in NSW was $122.1 million in 2014-15, focused mainly on gold and base metals.
The major regional focus for exploration in NSW in recent decades has been the Lachlan Fold Belt and Broken Hill regions for metallic deposits and the Murray Basin for mineral sands, but the New England Orogen in northern NSW and the Thomson Orogen frontier region in the far north-west of NSW are also increasingly seen as areas of interest for exploration. Visit the Mineral deposits maps web page for detailed information.
Exploration initiatives
The NSW government has allocated over $95 million in recent years through its exploration initiatives, creating strong incentives for explorers to invest in NSW.
One such initiative is the New Frontiers Exploration Initiative, funded by an annual rental fee since 2012, and designed to provide a significant stimulus to future exploration for mineral and petroleum resources in NSW.
The NSW government has overhauled the planning and approvals processes ensuring the benefits that flow to the economy through a vibrant and prosperous mining industry are taken into account, as part of a balanced and rigorous assessment process.
This aims to deliver greater certainty and confidence for investors and resilience to regional communities.
Exploration companies with activities in NSW
Company | Website | Commodities |
|---|---|---|
Anchor Resources Ltd | Copper, Gold, Antimony | |
Anglo American PLC | Copper, Gold | |
Arc Exploration Ltd | Silver, Gold, Lead, Zinc | |
Argent Minerals Ltd | Silver, Gold, Lead, Zinc | |
Ark Mines Ltd | Gold, Copper, Iron Ore, Zinc, Silver, Lead | |
Augur Resources Ltd | www.augur.com.au | Nickel Cobalt, Copper, Gold, Silver, Molybdenum |
Aurelia Metals Ltd | Gold, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Silver, Tin, Bismuth, Indium, Tungsten | |
Ausmon Resources Ltd | Gold, Copper, Silver, Zinc | |
Balamara Resources Ltd | Zinc, Copper, Lead, Silver, Gold | |
Capital Mining Ltd | Gold, Copper, Zinc, Silver, Lead, REE | |
Carpentaria Exploration Ltd | Gold, Nickel, Copper, Iron ore and PGE | |
Castillo Copper Ltd | Copper, Zinc, Silver, Gold | |
China Molybdenum Co Ltd | Silver, Copper, Gold | |
Clancy Exploration Ltd | Gold, Copper, Silver, Lead, Zinc | |
Golden Cross Resources Ltd | Copper, lead, Zinc, Silver, Gold, PGE, Ni | |
Helix Resources Ltd | Copper and Gold | |
Heron Resources Ltd | Copper, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Gold | |
Impact Minerals Ltd | Nickel, Copper, PGE, Gold, Zinc, Silver, Lead | |
International Base Metals Ltd | Copper, Gold | |
Ironbark Zinc Ltd | Copper, Zinc, Lead | |
Jervois Mining Ltd | Copper, Nickel, Scandium, Cobalt, Iron, Gold | |
KBL Mining Ltd | Gold, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Silver | |
Kidman Resources Ltd | Copper, Lead, Zinc, Silver, Gold | |
Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd | Silver | |
Mincor Resources NL | Copper and Gold | |
Minotaur Resources Ltd | Copper and Gold | |
MMG Ltd | Copper | |
New South Resources Ltd | Gold, Silver, Magnetite, Hematite | |
Newcrest Mining Ltd | Copper, Gold | |
Nonfemet | Zinc, Lead, Silver | |
Paradigm Metals Ltd | Copper, Gold, Tungsten | |
Peel Mining Ltd | Silver, Tungsten, Copper, Gold | |
Regis Resources Ltd | Copper, Gold | |
Sandfire Resources NL | Copper, Gold | |
Silver City Minerals Ltd | Gold, Silver, Base Metals | |
Silver Mines Ltd | Silver | |
Southern Crown Resources Ltd | southerncrown.com.au | Copper and Gold |
St Barbara Ltd | Copper and Gold | |
Straits Resources Ltd | Copper and Gold | |
Teck Resources Ltd | Copper | |
Thomson Resources Ltd | Copper, lead, Zinc and Gold | |
Toho Zinc Co Ltd | Silver, Lead, Zinc | |
Variscan Mines Ltd | Lead, Zinc and Silver, Copper, Tin, Gold | |
White Rock Minerals Ltd | Gold, Silver and Copper |
Disclaimer: While all reasonable care has been taken in the compilation of information on this website, to the extent permitted by law, the State of New South Wales (including the NSW Department of Industry) is not liable for the accuracy or completeness of the information, or for any injury, loss, or damage whatsoever (including without limitation liability for negligence and consequential losses) suffered by any person acting, or purporting to act, in reliance upon anything contained herein. For more information read our full disclaimer.