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Western Victoria could be set for a mining boom resulting in hundreds of jobs in the region.
The state government is tendering 11 new large exploration licence areas, covering a 9500km area for mineral exploration in the ‘Stavely Arc’.
The area stretches north from Hamilton, west from Ararat and includes Horsham, Nhill and Dimboola. National parks such as the Grampians are off-limits. The tender also excludes coal and gas.
Discoveries of minerals could bring jobs, investment and other economic benefits to western Victoria.
The tender process is aimed at attracting experienced minerals explorers, with credentials in community engagement and working closely with landholders across the project.
“There is money in rocks. And with money comes opportunity, wealth and for your community – jobs,” Victoria Treasurer and Resources Minister Tim Pallas said at Ararat College today.
Up to $500,000 in mineral exploration grants per block will be available from the state government’s TARGET Minerals Exploration Initiative.
“What we’re hoping to find through this effort is gold and copper and other rare metals as a consequence.
“...For the long-term what we’re hoping for is that we find more metallic substances and practical consequence of that will mean more wealth and opportunity in the community.”
Low-impact minerals exploration activity such as sampling, surveys, mapping and analysis could start next year.