Queensland Future Resources Program – Round 2

Australian Institute of Geoscientists > News > Queensland Future Resources Program – Round 2

The Queensland government is relying on industry through the Queensland Exploration Council (QEC), the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) to help to identify priority geoscience projects which will make the greatest contribution to maximising exploration success.

The government announced in the budget on 4 June 2013 that it wants Queensland to be the exploration capital of Australia and for quality geological data to be there for the world to see. The government provided new funding of $30 million over three years for a range of initiatives to be administered by the Geological Survey of Queensland (GSQ) under the Future Resources Program. The $30 million budget allocation for GSQ includes $7.5million over three years for optimising exploration success.

The Chief Government Geologist has recently advised QEC that the second round call for proposals under this program is now open.

Assessment of the proposals will be based on the following criteria:

  • Innovative application of new concepts
  • Soundness of methodologies and workflows
  • Exploration investment impact
  • Capacity to benefit a range of companies
  • Capacity to improve access to geoscience data
  • Ability to complete the project within funding and time constraints.

The Government’s expectation is that GSQ will undertake the management and implementation of the selected projects using standard procurement processes. Interested groups are invited to submit project proposals and ideas which meet the above criteria and are well within the $2.5million allocation.

To be accepted for consideration, proposals need to be submitted to QEC at info@queenslandexploration.com.au by COB Friday 21 February 2014.

QEC’s Research Working Group will subsequently consider the proposals. GSQ has asked QEC to submit its recommended priority projects to GSQ by 7 March. If you have any questions with regards to this process please don’t hesitate to contact Beatrix Brice, Manager Queensland Exploration Council.

28 Jan 2014