Outlook
S&P Market Intelligence forecasts exploration spend for CY24 to contract by 5% on CY23.
This contraction is largely due to the high-cost operating environment, funding constraints for junior explorers, and broader macro concerns.5
While FY24 saw a significant decline in exploration activity, the long-term industry fundamentals remain compelling and are signalling increased activity.
The supply shortfall for gold and copper, which represents ~75% of global exploration activity, is predicted to result in substantial demand in the medium to longer term.
Similarly, demand for other battery metals is expected to intensify in the medium term due to increasing decarbonisation targets.
This supply shortfall has resulted in higher commodity prices, particularly gold.
In turn, IMDEX expects increased exploration budgets for producers and capital raisings for juniors.
Historically, there is a six-to-nine-month interval between funds being raised and subsequently deployed on-site.
As these funds are allocated, IMDEX anticipates an uplift in rig activity, new projects being permitted, and a rise in overall exploration expenditure globally.
The Company expects market activity in the near term will remain relatively flat, as customers in some jurisdictions complete cost out programs and reset for the industry upturn.
IMDEX has a unique competitive position to address increasing demand for productivity and greater ore body knowledge.
The Company maintains its clear objective of outperforming industry growth through technology leadership, together with integrated offerings, while pursuing new growth via its Digital and IMT businesses.
This announcement has been approved for lodgement by the Board of Directors.
i hold IMD
hmm it seems the market disagrees
maybe to wider market sees capital drying up