The initial scheme was introduced in the 2009-2010 Budget and allocated A$80 million over five years to support new exploration investment in the state.
The programme gave assistance given to companies conducting geochemical and geophysical surveys and drilling on programmes carried out in greenfields areas of the state, as well as funding strategic research and indigenous relations initiatives.
Companies that have received funding under the programme include New Standard Onshore, Buru Energy and Officer Petroleum, as well as a variety of other minerals explorers.
