On a trend basis, September quarter mineral exploration expenditure rose by 2% quarter-on-quarter to A$1.031 billion, a record high.

Exploration rose 12.1% year-on-year.

Explorers flocked to Queensland, which registered a 21% surge in spend.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, exploration spend fell 1.5% QoQ to $1.015 billion, but was up 8.7% YoY.

The figures from the government agency correlate to BDO's recent research, which found that juniors alone spent $1.07 billion on mineral and petroleum exploration in the September quarter.

Spending on new deposits erose by 9.7% to $344.9 million, while expenditure on existing deposits dropped 0.4% to $740 million.

"The increase in greenfield mineral exploration is crucial to the discovery of new mines that will create new jobs and opportunities," Association of Mining and Exploration Companies chief executive Warren Pearce said.

Expenditure on "other minerals" recorded the largest rise, up 36.6% or $37.7 million to $140.7 million, reflecting the interest in rare earths and lithium.

Gold recorded the largest fall, down 9.3% or $39.4 million to $382.3 million.

"However, gold is still the dominate metal explorers are looking for," Pearce said.

"It is calculated that 35c in every dollar of national mineral exploration is invested in exploring for gold, and 26 of those cents are in Western Australia."

Total metres drilled fell, reflecting the rise in drilling costs.

"As our industry continues to work through labour shortages, the commitment to mineral exploration is key for the industry," Pearce said.

"Our ability to remain an investment destination of choice is paramount if we are to discover the mines of the future and deliver long-term, wide-ranging social and economic benefits to Australia.

"The record mineral exploration expenditure of $1.08 billion in the September 2022 quarter is higher than the $1.06 billion in June 2012, and reflects the broad strong market appetite for opportunities in Australia."