The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (Amec) has expressed concern for the future of the Australian exploration industry, and the impact that Covid-19 will have.
“While the health, safety and wellbeing of Australians must remain the focus through Covid-19, mineral exploration companies are really doing it tough,” said Amec CEO Warren Pearce.
He noted that since Covid-19 restrictions were imposed a month ago, nearly half of the exploration companies recently surveyed had ceased all exploration operations, and over a quarter more had ceased most exploration operations.
“This at a time, two years into the exploration cycle, when new discoveries are being made and when the next year of mineral exploration could well kick-start the next mining boom and help recharge Australia’s damaged economy.”