Coda Minerals, Fortescue Metals Group and Hillgrove Resources were three of the big winners in the grant initiative announced today.

Combined, the SA government has provided $4.5 million to companies to "speed-up the discovery of future mines".

This is an increase of $1.5 million compared to round one of the ADI.

Association of Mining and Exploration Companies chief executive Warren Pearce said ADI recipients reflected the broad spectrum of approaches to mineral exploration and the applications of technology needed to find the mines of the future.

According to AMEC, each dollar invested in exploration offers a return of $10 in royalties and economic contributions.

"Greenfield mineral exploration has driven the success of South Australia's mining industry," Pearce said.

"It is these discoveries that have delivered long-lasting jobs and benefits across the community."

Miners were granted the cash to conduct geochronology, geophysics surveys and co-funded drilling.

Specifically, FMG was awarded funding to undertake iron-oxide copper-gold exploration across the Curnamona and Gawler Craton provinces.

It was also given a second injection of cash to advance its understanding of the Vulcan IOCG copper prospect to the north of the giant Olympic Dam copper fields operated by BHP.

Separately, Coda Minerals was given funding for its Emmie Bluff exploration project which hosts copper, cobalt, and silver.

Hillgrove Resources also received cash or future exploration at its Kanmantoo Cooper Mine.

The award of funding comes after the South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy lobbied the SA government to reinstate the mineral exploration incentive.

SACOME said the ADI was a result of continued lobbying, however, it still wanted more cash from the state budget directed towards exploration.

"Exploration is critical in ensuring a future pipeline of resources projects for the state," SACOME CEO Rebecca Knol said.

":The discoveries of today will be the mines of tomorrow.
 
"Continued and expanded funding of the ADI is consistent with the South Australian government economic growth objectives and will ensure the sector continues its significant contribution to the state economy."