GEMSA NT focuses on the promotion of opportunities and advocacy for resolution of issues that are of vital importance for the viability and sustainability of the mineral exploration and mining sector in the Northern Territory.
WHY GEMSA
GEMSA NT was formed when the sudden cessation of a major NT exploration program in the Northern Territory in early 2020 resulted in loss of employment for around a dozen young professionals and serious loss of income for other businesses. The founders of GEMSA NT concluded there was a need for a locally based association that would promote an active and steady mineral exploration sector and enable Northern Territory-based exploration and mining support businesses and individual professionals to stabilise a local industry sector. The association should provide them with a means for collaboration for job resourcing and enable a collective voice to respond to issues with potential to impact the viability of businesses and the industry locally. It should also make it easier for mineral explorers to find and engage with Northern Territory businesses to actually get their planned exploration done.
GEMSA NT maintains a close watch on the ABS exploration expenditure statistics. Our research reveals that the Northern Territory (together with South Australia) has the lowest mineral exploration expenditure per square kilometre in comparison with the other jurisdictions of Australia, which GEMSA NT refers to as Exploration Intensity. A longer-term goal of GEMSA NT is to identify the reasons for these low figures and to work with other stakeholders to increase the intensity of exploration expenditure across the Northern Territory.
The following graph illustrates the situation and highlights those jurisdictions that are improving their exploration performance in real terms.
GEMSA NT will be an effective and supportive group representing the Geological, Exploration and Mining Services and Suppliers sectors of the Northern Territory. The Association will help to maintain viable Northern Territory - based mineral exploration, mining and support industries through increased local employment and business opportunities, support for streamlined land access and permitting procedures, networking, community education and regional wealth creation.
GEMSA NT will strive to assist the Northern Territory to become a first-choice destination for exploration and mining companies that are prepared to work hand in hand with our communities, our environment and our local businesses.
Supporting Mineral Explorers in Australia’s Northern Territory
GEMSA NT aims to promote business opportunities and provide advocacy on issues of vital importance to the growth and security of a strong mineral exploration and mining sector in the Northern Territory.
(Drilling at Ranger, NT, 1973)
GEMSA NT plans to achieve their objectives through the development of effective member services and through interactions with relevant bodies on matters of interest to the association.
INITIAL ACHIEVEMENTS –