Mining

Victoria is endowed with a wide variety of mineral resources such as gold and critical minerals, which includes titanium, zirconium and rare earth elements.

As a result, there’s been significant industry activity undertaken exploring and mining mineral sand resources, particularly in the state's northwestern region.

Mining is the extraction of minerals from land for the purpose of producing them commercially. This includes the processing and treatment of ore.

Mining in Victoria is regulated under the statutory framework of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 (MRSDA). 

The most common types of licenses issued in Victoria are exploration, retention and mining licences which authorise:

  • Exploration licence: exploration on land covered by the licence;
  • Retention licence: retention of rights to mineral resources; and
  • Mining licence: mining on the land covered by the licence.

Work under an exploration or retention licence

There are particular types of work under these licences which do not require a work plan to be submitted to and approved by the Earth Resources Regulator (ERR). These are:

  • Reconnaissance work: this allows exploration activities that do not involve the use of excavation equipment (other than non-mechanical hard tools), explosives or the removal or damaging of any tree or shrub; and
  • Low impact exploration: ERR's Code of Practice for Mineral Exploration provides that low impact exploration may include drilling for core samples, construction of tracks, and limited removal of certain native vegetation.

Work under a mining licence and work plan variations for mining

Before land can be developed for mining activities, an operator will generally require the following:

  • a mining licence;
  • an approved work plan or compliance with the Code of Practice provision under Part 8A – Section 89A of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 (MRSDA);
  • a rehabilitation bond;
  • a planning permit under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (unless an Environmental Effects Statement is required)
  • any other licence(s) and/or approval(s) required for the project under other planning and environment legislation;
  • the consents of, and compensation agreements with, owners and occupiers of the land affected by the project;
  • compliance with all the requirements of section 42 (commencement of work under mining licence or prospecting licence) of the MRSDA; and
  • provision of seven days’ notice in writing to the Chief Inspector of Mines (ERR Director Regulatory Compliance) and the owners and occupiers of the land affected of the intention to commence work.

The assessment and approvals of works under a mining licence are considered, where required, under the following legislation:

  • assessment under the Environment Effects Act 1978 (Vic);
  • licences under the Water Act 1989 (Vic);
  • a cultural heritage management plan under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic);
  • licences, permits and registrations under the Environment Protection Act 2017 (Vic); and
  • assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).

More information is available on the Resources Victoria website: Landholder information - Resources Victoria

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