The push by the Northern Territory Government to promote exploration and mining in the Territory is delivering results.

An Australian exploration company has made a major mineral discovery in the Northern Territory thanks to the Government’s Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations program.

Resources Minister, Kon Vatskalis, said today’s announcement by Proto Resources of a significant copper discovery at Lindeman’s Bore, 70km west of Kalkarindji, shows the Territory Government’s Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations program under theBringing Forward Discovery initiative is delivering results.

“This is a significant discovery for the Territory and is a clear demonstration as to why our resources sector is not faring as badly as other states,” said Mr Vatskalis.

“Proto Resources received a $100 000 grant in last year’s collaborative drilling program to undertake work in the Territory’s under-explored greenfields.

“The company’s discovery is the first in a vast under-explored region around Lindeman’s Bore and shows a 15 metre wide zone of visible copper mineralisation.

“Further drilling on site will now be done to prove the extent and economic value of the find.”

Proto Resources owns 80% of the Lindeman’s Bore project with the remaining 20% held by joint venture partners.

The Territory Government’s China Minerals Investment Attraction Strategy is also paying off with Arafura Resources recently finalising a multi-million deal with Jiangsu Eastern China Non-Ferrous Metals Investment Holding Co. Ltd (JEC).

Arafura Resources highlighted the benefits of Minister Vatskalis’ China travel which has cemented firm business relationships between the Territory resources sector and many major mining companies in the country.