Have your say on new licence applications

People discussing a minerals licence application

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

EL006714 Exploration Licence Alluvial Mining Pty LtdExtending from approximately 20 km northeast of Ararat northwards to 2.5 km south of Landsborough and also eastwards to Elmhurst in Western Victoria 14 June 2023
EL007751Exploration LicenceLoddon Gold Pty Ltd1km east of Hillcrest, 20km north of Chinaman Flat, 1km south of Carngham, including Snake Valley14 June 2023
EL008058Exploration LicenceEast Victoria Goldfields Pty Ltd17km south of Omeo, 3.5km south east Cassilis, 8.5km north west of Swifts Creek14 June 2023
EL008074Exploration LicenceSouthern Star Exploration Pty Ltd6km east of Castlemaine, 5km west of Redesdale, 2km north of Taradale, including Sutton Grange, Faraday and Metcalf14 June 2023
EL008218Exploration LicenceEast Victoria Goldfields Pty Ltd0.5km west of Colquhoun, 1km east of Bruthen, 4km east of Tambo Upper, including Callinans and Ramrod Creek14 June 2023
EL008255Exploration LicenceBallart Investment Project Management Pty LtdApproximately 2 km south southwest of Yandoit in Central Victoria14 June 2023

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:

  1. put the objection or comments in writing; and
  2. 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 Energy and Resources
c/- Manager Licensing
Earth Resources Regulation
PO Box 500
East Melbourne Victoria 8002

Enquiries can be made by writing to the Manager Licensing at the above address or by phoning the Earth Resources Information Centre on 136 186.

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: 24 May 2023