Apply for an environmental (mining) licence

You must hold an environmental (mining) licence to undertake mining activity in the Northern Territory.

This is a requirement under the Environment Protection Act 2019.

Mining activity includes exploration, extractive operations and mining operations.

You must get this licence before starting any mining activity that causes substantial disturbance on the mining site.

The licence replaces the need for authorisation under the repealed Mining Management Act 2001.

To understand the mineral titling and environmental (mining) licence process, read the mineral title and environmental mining licence process flowchart PDF (401.9 KB).

Before you apply

Before applying for an environmental (mining) licence, check if your activity could:

• cause a significant impact and
• require an environmental impact assessment.

If it:

• may have a significant impact - you must first refer the proposed activity to the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) for their consideration
• won't have a significant impact - you can proceed to apply for an environmental mining licence.

If the NT EPA accepts the referral and decides your activity needs an assessment, you must get an environmental approval from the Minister for Environment before a licence can be issued.

To find out more, go to the NT EPA website.

How to apply

To see the licence process based on your activity, get the activity-based process flowchart PDF (359.6 KB).

To apply for a licence, follow these steps:

Determine the type of licence required

To determine the type of application to submit, refer to the guidance on licence application types factsheet PDF (184.7 KB).

If you have an existing authorisation granted under the former Mining Management Act 2001, refer to the guidance on replacement licences fact sheet PDF (179.1 KB).

Review the risk criteria and standard conditions

Review the declared risk criteria and standard conditions applicable to your activity type before preparing your application.

Risk criteria and standard conditions have been declared for exploration and for extractive operations.

If no risk criteria applies, you must apply for a tailored condition licence.

Prepare the required application forms

Prepare your application using the applicable application form.

You will also need to complete relevant supporting documents, management plans, and a security calculation spreadsheet as indicated in your application form.

Get forms and documents

For information about activity extents and forward program of works, refer to the guidance on preparing application maps fact sheet PDF (813.2 KB).

Submit the application

Email your application documents to mineralinfo.dlpe@nt.gov.au or call 08 8999 6528 if you want to use the Mining Division’s file transfer platform.

Assessment and minister’s decision

The Mining Division will assess your application.

If applicable, the application will be publicly exhibited.

The Minister for Environment will decide whether to grant or refuse to grant a licence.

For more information, read the statutory timeframes factsheet PDF (122.1 KB).

Pay the security deposit

If you are granted a licence, you will get a written notice confirming details of any mining security you must pay under the licence.

Security must be paid to the Department of Mining and Energy before starting the approved activity.

Approval to begin activities

The Minister for Mining and Energy will issue a ‘Notice of authority to commence or continue mining activity’ under the Mineral Titles Act 2010 within 10 business days of receiving the security deposit.

Commence mining activity

Once you have both the environmental (mining) licence and the notice of authority, you can carry out your approved mining activity.