The Plan for Accelerating Exploration (PACE) Minerals - innovation, collaboration and capacity building to advance exploration activity in South Australia.
The South Australian government is investing $12.4 million over four years to co-fund mineral exploration and help fast-track the discoveries that will become tomorrow’s mines.
Building on the proven legacy of the original PACE program, this renewed initiative continues a model that has helped unlock some of South Australia’s most significant mineral discoveries. The program will continue to strengthen South Australia’s global reputation as a leading destination for exploration, supporting junior explorers and industry partners to take on early-stage risk and bring new projects forward.
A strong resources sector is an essential component of South Australia’s prosperity. Accounting for more than 35% of state exports, increased mining, mineral processing and supply chain activities are crucial to achieving South Australia’s economic growth objectives.
About the PACE Minerals initiative
PACE Minerals aims to make a major contribution to achieving South Australia’s economic growth objectives by providing government co-funding toward exploration activities. The funding will be available over four years for FY2027 to FY2030, with the first funding round commencing in FY2027 through an annual Request for Proposals (RFP) process.
The objectives of PACE Minerals are to accelerate mineral discovery, facilitate the application of innovative technology, increase greenfield exploration collaboration and activity, generate new geoscientific datasets, attract new investment to South Australia’s mineral resources sector, and improve understanding of groundwater resources that support future development.
Working alongside the Geological Survey of South Australia, the program will co-fund exploration activities including:
- drilling
- innovative exploration approaches – geophysics and geochemistry programs and regional geophysical or remote sensing programs
- data-driven geoscience and spatial analytics
- groundwater sampling and testing
- research collaboration.
By helping industry overcome challenges such as remoteness and deep mineral deposits, PACE Minerals is designed to unlock new opportunities and strengthen the pipeline of future projects.
Important documents
Investment guidelines
The investment guidelines provide information about the program, including details about the proposal structure and guidance on how to apply.
Draft Funding Agreement
The Draft Grant Funding Agreement will provides the legal framework for the obligations of each party and terms in relation to the funded exploration activity.
Industry briefing
Online event: Thursday 30 July from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Register to reserve your place to learn about the program, application process and eligibility requirements. A link to the webinar will be emailed to you prior to the briefing.
How to apply for grant funding
Submissions for the 2026-27 PACE Minerals funding are now open. Applications must be completed via an online request for proposals (RFP) form which will be available shortly on this website.
Key dates
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 9 July 2026 | Call for proposals |
| 11 September 2026, 11:59 ACST | Closing date for proposals |
| August – September 2026 | Proposal assessments |
| October 2026 | Announcement of successful proposals |
| November – December 2026 | Draft and execute grant funding agreements |
| FY2028 – FY2030 | Later PACE rounds expected to follow a similar annual timeframe |
Note: these dates are indicative and may be subject to change.
Frequently asked questions
Definitions
Frontier areas are regions where little or no modern mineral exploration has been undertaken, meaning their mineral potential is not yet well understood.
Under-explored areas are regions where some exploration has occurred, but the level of exploration has been limited or insufficient to adequately test and evaluate the area's mineral potential.
A third-party benefit is a benefit that extends beyond the funding recipient. In the context of PACE, this may include the generation and sharing of geoscientific data that improves knowledge of an area, supports future exploration activities, and provides value to industry, researchers, government, and the broader community.
The definition of Intellectual Property (IP) is included in the Draft Funding Agreement (PDF, 640.3 KB).
The definition of confidential information is included in the Draft Funding Agreement (PDF, 640.3 KB).
Innovation refers to the application of novel or significantly improved exploration methods, technologies, or analytical approaches, including new geoscientific techniques, data analytics, or integration of datasets, that enhance the likelihood of discovery or improve exploration efficiency.
Information gain refers to the extent to which a project will generate new, high-quality geoscientific data or insights that reduce uncertainty, improve geological understanding, accelerate and inform future exploration decisions (whether or not it leads directly to a discovery).
Timing
Projects will generally be expected to be completed within 12 months; however, existing provisions allow for flexibility. Contract variations may be considered on a case-by-case basis where delays are justified, balancing program accountability with practical delivery considerations.
Activities
The program's primary objective is to support mineral discovery, with groundwater assessment funded only where it is a direct by-product of mineral exploration activities.
Eligible groundwater testing activities
These activities may be funded where it is directly associated with mineral exploration activities. Eligible activities include groundwater assessment and testing that arises from, and supports, mineral exploration work, such as:
- Pump testing or assessment of groundwater encountered during mineral exploration drilling.
- Groundwater investigations that are directly linked to exploration drilling programs.
- Activities required to assess groundwater intersected as part of mineral exploration operations.
These activities are supported because they are incidental to, and derived from, mineral exploration activities undertaken under the program.
Activities that are not eligible for funding
The program does not fund drilling or exploration undertaken specifically to locate, identify or develop groundwater resources. Examples of ineligible activities include:
- Drilling programs designed primarily to find groundwater.
- Water exploration activities undertaken independently of mineral exploration.
- Groundwater investigations that are not directly linked to mineral exploration activities.
The PACE Minerals program is designed to support exploration projects with the greatest potential to lead to new mineral discoveries. As a result, certain activities are not eligible for funding.
The following activities will generally not be funded at the discretion of the assessment panel:
- Advanced resource evaluation drilling undertaken to further assess a known mineral resource
- Resource definition or resource expansion drilling aimed at increasing the size or confidence of an already identified mineral resource
- Near-development drilling and studies that support mine development, feasibility, or project advancement rather than new exploration
- Activities focused on supporting the development of a known deposit, rather than testing new exploration targets, concepts, or geological models
- Any exploration activities that have commenced before formal notification of a funding award
- Projects that are already underway or scheduled to commence before applicants are formally notified of funding outcomes
- Any request for retrospective funding for work completed before formal notification of a successful funding award
Funding Agreement
Funded participants will be required to enter into a funding agreement with the Minister for Energy and Mining.
PACE Minerals standard Draft Funding Agreement (PDF, 640.3 KB) is provided in its FINAL form, and as such, is not open to any further renegotiation of its substantive terms.
No party will be legally bound unless and until the Funding Agreement document is executed by the parties. Any actions taken in anticipation of such formal execution is at risk of the person taking them.
Payment of grant funding
Payment options are included in Schedule Item 6 of the Draft Funding Agreement (PDF, 640.3 KB).
Join our mailing list
Stay up to date with future funding rounds, program updates and exploration opportunities by signing up for updates.
Contact us
For further information, and any enquiries about the submission form, contact the Department for Energy and Mining via email at DEM.PACEMinerals@sa.gov.au
