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Apply for an extractive mineral exploration licence

If you want to explore for extractive minerals such as rock, sand, gravel, soil or peat, you must apply for an extractive mineral exploration licence (EMEL).

Summary

An EMEL gives you the right to occupy the title area and explore for extractive minerals using methods that are reasonably necessary for exploration.

You also have the right to apply for either of the following mineral titles for all or part of the EMEL area:

  • an extractive mineral permit - to take extractive minerals from the natural surface of the land only
  • an extractive mineral lease - to mine extractive minerals.

Area and term

You can apply for up to 4 adjoining blocks for up to 2 years.

An EMEL is not renewable and you must pay all rent in advance for the full licence term.

Before you apply

Before you apply for this exploration licence, read land access for exploration.

How to apply

To apply, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Fill in the form and prepare supporting materials

Use this form to apply for an extractive mineral exploration licence or mineral authority for an extractive mineral exploration licence.

Extractive mineral exploration licence or mineral authority for extractive mineral exploration licence (approved form 4) DOCX (118.6 KB)
Extractive mineral exploration licence or mineral authority for extractive mineral exploration licence (approved form 4) PDF (805.7 KB)

Read about the required supporting materials.

Step 2. Submit your application and pay the fee

To find out how much you must pay, read about rents, fees and other costs.

You must include the application fee and any advertising costs when submitting your application.

After you apply

Find out how your application is assessed.

Process

Find out the grant process of an EMEL:

Tell the landowner/manager

You must notify landowners when you apply for a mineral title and there are specific processes you must follow.

When you apply for any mineral title, you must tell each landowner affected by the application. You must do this within 14 days of submitting the application to the department.

Read more about landowner notification under mineral title: grant of tenure.

After you get a licence

Once you have been granted a licence, you must:

How to renew

Find out how to renew a mineral title.

Contact

If you have any questions, contact the mineral titles teams.

Applications and processes