Mining regulation assessment timeframes

The Department of Mining and Energy (DME) is responsible for assessing applications under the Mineral Titles Act 2010.

The Department of Lands, Planning and Environment (DLPE) is responsible for assessing applications for environmental (mining) licences under the Environment Protection Act 2019. DLPE will continue to assess mining management plans (MMPs) submitted before 1 July 2024 under the (now repealed) Mining Management Act 2001.

Applications for environmental (mining) licences must be assessed within timeframes identified in the Environment Protection Act 2019.

Depending on the type of mining activity, timeframes range from 30 business days for exploration to 120 business days for mining operations.

DLPE and DME have key performance indicators to ensure efficient assessment of:

• environmental (mining) licence applications
• exploration licence (EL) applications.

The departments aim to meet the following timeframes:

• 85% of all environmental (mining) licence applications granted within statutory timeframes
• 85% of ELs granted within 9 months.

Every 3 months, reports are published showing performance in completion of assessments.

Environmental (mining) licences and MMPs

Time taken to assess environmental (mining) licences under the Environment Protection Act 2019 for:

• exploration
• extractive operations and
• mining operations.

Includes reporting on continuing assessments of MMPs under the repealed Mining Management Act 2001.

Exploration licences

Timeframes to grant exploration licences under the Mineral Titles Act 2010.

Most applications are also subject to the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA) or the Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act 1976 (Cth) (ALRA).

Access previous reports below.