Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Activation Fund - Stream 1

Applicants will be required to supply the following information as part of the Application: 

• organisation details including ABN, and an explanation of primary activities 
• demonstration of the experience and capability of the organisation or its consultants to deliver the proposed studies, such as previous experience in delivering similar works 
• evidence of the organisation’s financial viability 
• a detailed budget, including details of the co-contribution and how this will be sourced
• a description of the proposed activity and how it will address current gaps or failures in the critical minerals and high-tech metals sector 
• study background, including current status, and what activities the proposed study will address 
• identification of risks, potential consequences and mitigation measures that will be put into place to manage risks
• description of the work, including site details, mineral resource locations, technologies proposed and/or studies proposed 
• the benefit and expected outcomes of the studies, and the intended impact in regional NSW 
• evidence of the readiness of the studies, such as approved licences or applications 
• the total study cost 
• details of co-contribution and how this will be sourced
• the grant amount requested  
• estimate of studies completion date 
• details of their Public Liability Insurance Policy or confirmation that Public Liability Insurance Policy of at least $20 million will be taken out prior to the execution of the Funding Deed. 

Your project will need to:

• relate to at least one of the identified critical minerals and high-tech metals outlined in the guidelines
• deliver, or have the potential to deliver, significant benefits to the critical mineral and high-tech metal sector in NSW
• if the study relates to a specific mineral resource, the specific resource must be located in NSW
• be completed within 18 months of execution of the Funding Deed.

Eligible Studies   

To be eligible for funding, the proposed activities must:

• relate to at least one of the identified critical minerals and high-tech metals included in the guidelines
• align with the objective of the Fund and the Stream Objectives  
• all activities must be able to be completed within 18 months of execution of the Funding Deed 
• deliver, or have the potential to deliver, significant benefits to the critical mineral and high-tech metal sector in NSW 
• if the study relates to a specific mineral resource, the specific resource must be located in NSW
• studies relating to a resource project must have, at minimum, an Indicated Resource as defined by the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC code) produced by the Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee, and either have plans to obtain, or have obtained necessary consents for mining  
• to be eligible, studies must be expected to create benefits to the sector in NSW and or the NSW economy. 

Eligible Grant Amounts 

The minimum grant amount is $300,000. The maximum grant amount is $500,000. All grants are GST exclusive. 

GST will be applied on top of the agreed grant value when payment is made. 

Payment of grant amounts will be made in instalments, following evidence of costs incurred against prior payments.   

Co-contributions

All applicants must provide a co-contribution. Co-contributions must be cash and at least 50% of the total studies cost (unless otherwise approved by the Department in writing).

However, if the lead applicant is a Publicly Funded Research Organisation (as defined in Eligible Applicants), up to 25% of the co-contribution can be provided as an in-kind contribution and 25 % in cash.  

The Department may, in its sole discretion, consider and approve alternative co-contributions. 

Applicants will be required to provide evidence that the co-contribution is secured and confirmed, noting that applicants are required to have access to their nominated co-contribution available through the delivery of the studies. 

Eligible Costs

Eligible costs may only be incurred after both parties have executed the Funding Deed and before the completion date, and be the costs specific to the studies as outlined in the Funding Deed, such as: 

• study costs, such as options analysis, feasibility studies, business case development or planning studies  
• costs relating to engagement of consultants to deliver the studies 
• reasonable travel expenses incurred to deliver the activities 
• administration and contingency costs to a maximum of 15% of the requested funding amount. 

Ineligible Costs

The following are ineligible costs and should be excluded from the proposed studies costs: 

• any expenditure incurred prior to the commencement of the Funding Deed  
• capital works costs, civil costs, licence applications 
• repayment of existing debts and/or budget deficits
• capital and operational costs of existing equipment which may be utilised in the studies 
• statutory fees and charges, including overhead charges such as insurance and leases 
• ongoing costs for business administration, operation or maintenance, including staff salaries except where recognised as a co-contribution 
• costs associated with grant applications, monitoring and administration costs, including any funding provided to professional services to support application submission
• costs relating solely to marketing, advertising or product promotion, including education and information campaigns 
• costs which require ongoing funding from the NSW Government, beyond the delivery timeframe for the Fund  
• legal costs.