Apply for an extractive mineral lease

If you want to conduct extensive quarrying operations, you will need an extractive mineral lease (EML).

Summary

An EML gives you the right to occupy the title area.

It also gives you exclusive rights to mine extractive minerals like rock, sand, gravel or soil in the lease area.

You may also carry out any of the following associated activities:

• processing of extractive minerals
• removal of extractive minerals
• storage of waste and other material
• any other activities approved in the lease.

Area covered by an EML

The maximum area for an extractive mineral lease is 100 hectares.

Lease term

An EML can be granted for up to 10 years. It can be renewed more than once.

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 lease or mineral authority for an extractive mineral lease.

Extractive mineral lease or mineral authority for an extractive mineral lease (approved form 6) DOCX (128.0 KB)
Extractive mineral lease or mineral authority for an extractive mineral lease (approved form 6)  PDF (818.3 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 when submitting your application.

After you apply

Find out how your application is assessed.

Process

Find out the grant process of an EML:

• over Aboriginal land PDF (1.0 MB)
• over freehold land PDF (940.9 KB)
• over native title affected land PDF (963.0 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 lease

Once you have been granted a lease, you must:

• also apply for an environmental (mining) licence to carry out activities that are defined as substantial disturbance
• meet the conditions of your lease.

How to renew

Find out how to renew a mineral title.

Contact

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