In this year’s sentiment survey, respondents ranked the following three Government initiatives as providing the most benefit to their operations: • CEI and Collaborative Development Program, • Release of geoscience data from the GSQ, • Zero rent for exploration permits for minerals. Respondents consistently praised the CEI grants for supporting high-risk greenfield exploration, particularly for junior and emerging miners, and expressed concern that funding has not been identified in the budget past 2027, describing it as a significant blow to industry confidence and a signal of declining government support. Many called for the CEI to be continued beyond 2027, highlighting its role in mitigating land access risks and enabling exploration progress. Respondents expressed strong appreciation for the GSQ and the value of precompetitive data, highlighting its role in supporting exploration through collaboration, open file access, and geoscience insights.
Several noted that GSQ’s engagement and datasets, such as regional geophysical data and core library studies, were helpful in identifying targets and reducing exploration risk, especially in greenfield areas. There was a clear call to maintain and expand these initiatives to continue enabling data-driven exploration across Queensland. Chart 4.1 provides insights into the expenditure of geoscientific funding by the State Government, encompassing various programs. The administration of $20.9 million through the Frontier Gas Exploration program in 2024-25 has significantly contributed to a spike in this year’s results. Funding was awarded to Comet Ridge, Denison Gas, QPM Energy, and State Gas Limited to fast- track the exploration of new gas reserves. It supports Queensland’s efforts to secure reliable gas supplies and represents the highest Government financial support for exploration.
CHART 4.1 TOTAL GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF QUEENSLAND EXPENDITURE 2017-25
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
2024-25
Geological Survey of Queensland base Strategic Resources Exploration Program GSQ Lodgement Portal upgrades Collaborative Development Program
Future Resources Program
New Economy Minerals Initiative (inc CEI) Frontier Basin Gas Exploration Grants
UQ Research Alliance
Source: Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development
Note: From 2017-18, an internal restructure of the agency responsible for georesoruces meant all IT-related resources were moved to the department’s state-wide business systems team. This restructure accounts for the drop in base funding within GSQ, noting however that the total funding and budgeted FTEs all stayed on (at the time) to service the Geological Survey.
EXPLORATION SCORECARD 2025
17
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