The Government on Thur 13.3.2014, released for consultation a Discussion PaperExploration Development Incentive: Policy Design. This follows the Government’s election commitment to introduce an Exploration Development Incentive, which will provide incentives for greenfields minerals exploration activity, with a focus on the small exploration sector.

The Paper outlines and seeks feedback on possible implementation arrangements for the Incentive.  It canvasses:

  • options for targeting junior mineral explorers;
  • which investors will be able to receive exploration credits;
  • how “eligible expenditure” and “greenfields” could be defined;
  • options for capping the cost of the scheme; and
  • how the exploration credit system will work.

COMMENTS are due by 4 April 2014.

[LTN 49, 13/3/14]