WA moves to lighten explorer loads

The Western Australian government is offering expenditure relief for explorers in Western Australia amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

The government is providing guidance to clarify the criteria that can be applied in granting exemption from exploration expenditure requirements in Western Australia, saying the measures will help provide relief to companies and help support the state’s economy to respond to Covid-19.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston has enabled an exemption from exploration expenditure to be considered if tenement holders are unable to meet the tenement’s expenditure requirements as a direct result of Covid-19 or because of restrictions imposed by the state and federal governments, which include strict travel restrictions within the state, and towards regional communities.

This decision will be valid until March 31, 2021, unless rescinded earlier.