Have your say on new licence applications
Minerals exploration and mining with the appropriate approvals, is permitted across Victoria. The Crown owns all minerals.
Earth Resources Regulation is the regulator of exploration, mining, quarrying, petroleum, recreational prospecting and other earth resources activities in Victoria. The regulator assesses, approves and regulates licences, in line with the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990.
For exploration licences, more than 20 different pieces of legislation provide safeguards for the environment, land and water as a part of the licence application process. Exploration licences are awarded for up to five years with the option to extend. If exploration activities determine a commercially viable mineral deposit, the next step is an application for a mining licence.
It takes many years, even decades to process a mining application, which is subject to strict regulatory approval processes, involving environmental assessments and local stakeholder engagement.
Once an application is accepted for assessment an applicant has 14 days to advertise the application and call for public comment, in accordance with the Advertising Guideline. The advertisement must contain information about the proposed work, along with details on how members of the public can comment on the application. This information should also be available on the individual’s or entity’s website.
More information for community and landowners about exploration and mining is available in the Community and Land Use section of our website.
Public input is central to how Earth Resources Regulation administers licence applications under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990. The Regulator may apply special conditions to licences based on issues identified through the objection process.
We invite public comment on mining, exploration, retention and prospecting licence applications. Please refer to the list of applications below. These licences are open for public comment now.
GeoVic is also available to help build your own earth resource related maps, search for minerals licences and access data, using a huge range of sources.
Licence Applications open for feedback
Application number | Licence type | Company Name | Location | Submissions close |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EL008010 | Exploration Licence | Yaapeet Gold Pty Ltd | 8km south of Mittyack, 18km north east of Lascelles, surrounding town of Sea Lake and over Nadaly | 5 October 2022 |
| EL008013 | Exploration Licence | Hopetoun Gold Pty Ltd | 5km east of Hopevale, 8km north of Beulah and surrounding Hopetoun | 5 October 2022 |
| EL008015 | Exploration Licence | Kenmare Gold Pty Ltd | 11km south of Beulah, 4km west of Bangerang, surrounding Warracknabeal and including Lah, Brim, and Beyal | 12 October 2022 |
| EL008052 | Exploration Licence | Outback Goldfields Australia Pty Ltd | 17.5km NW of Ballarat, 7km east of Lexton, 5km west of Clunes and over Mount Beckworth, Glendaruel, Waubra, Addington, Ercildoune and Weatherboard. | 19 October 2022 |
Provide feedback on a licence application
Any person may object or comment on a licence being granted. (Section 24 and 24A, Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990).
A person who objects or comments must:
- put the objection or comments in writing; and
- include the grounds on which it is made.
All objections or comments must be lodged within 21 days after the latest date on which the application was advertised. Objections or comments can be lodged online or posted to:
The Minister for Resources
c/ - Manager Licensing
Earth Resources Regulation
GPO Box 4509
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Enquiries can be made by writing to the Manager Licensing at the above address or by phoning the Earth Resources Information Centre on 1300 366 356.
Extractive Industries applications
Public input into extractive industries (i.e. quarrying) applications is conducted via the planning permit process. Applications can normally be located via ‘Planning Application at Advertising’ webpages on Council websites.
Page last updated: 29 Sep 2022