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 (120.7 KB)
Extractive mineral exploration licence or mineral authority for extractive mineral exploration licence (approved form 4) PDF (782.1 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 over non-Aboriginal freehold land PDF (946.5 KB).
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:
- also apply for an environmental (mining) licence to carry out exploration activities that are defined as substantial disturbance
- meet the conditions of your licence.
How to renew
Find out how to renew a mineral title.
Contact
If you have any questions, contact the mineral titles teams.
- Apply for a mineral title
- Summary of title types and conditions
- Mineral exploration licence
- Exploration licence in retention
- Extractive mineral exploration licence
- Extractive mineral permit
- Extractive mineral lease
- Mineral lease
- Mineral authority over reserved land
- Supporting materials
- Assessing your mineral title application
- Conflicting land tenure and titles
- Mineral title on native title
- Mineral title on Aboriginal land
- Surveys of mineral title boundaries
- Notify landowner when you apply for a mineral title