Exploration increases in Southeast Australia

A government support system for mining companies is bearing fruit in Southeast Australia.

Exploration and mining expenditures in the state of Victoria rose to A$112.6 million in 1995 from A$96.1 million in the previous year.

In 1993, the state passed the Mineral Resources Development Act, which was followed in 1994 by the A$16.5-million Victorian Initiative for Minerals and Petroleum. The latter is a 3-year project involving airborne, gravity and seismic surveys in underexplored areas.

Exploration has continued to focus on gold, though recent geophysical data point to the potential for base metals, industrial minerals and kimberlite deposits.