Exploration Opportunities

Minerals Opportunities - Land Release Areas

Land release areas, also called Restricted Areas (RAs), are temporarily created over untenured land where interesting geophysical signatures have been identified in geophysical data acquired as part of the Smart Exploration program and the Smart Mining Future Prosperity program.  These RAs are then repealed at a set time and applications for exploration permits are accepted.

Creation and repeal of these RAs provides an equal opportunity to local and international companies to access the land to explore these geophysical signatures.  These RAs form a key element of the Government's strategy to promote exploration investment into frontier and under-explored areas of the state.

Promotion of these exploration opportunities is supported by data packages which generally include the new geophysical data, depth to basement modelling, summaries of previous company exploration in the area and available geological data.  

Investors have several months to assess the data before the RAs are repealed on a stated date. Interested explorers can submit applications for exploration permits over the repealed areas on the following business day.

In 2007, an airborne geophysics survey undertaken as part of the Smart Exploration program resulted in the identification of RAs 357 and 358.

RA357 is located 410 kilometres (km) east of Mount Isa consisting of 89 sub-blocks with an area of 286 km2. RA358 is located 200 km east-south-east of Mount Isa with 206 sub-blocks with an area of 655 km2.

Temporary restrictions were placed over the land to give explorers a chance to consider the data and compete for exploration tenure when both restrictions are lifted on 28 March 2010.

Applications for exploration permits can be made from:

• Monday 29 March 2010

RA357 and 358 maps

• RA357 and 358 map located in the North West Queensland Mineral Province (PDF, 343 kB)
• RA357 topographical map (PDF, 410 kB)
• RA358 topographical map (PDF, 318 kB)

To obtain a copy of the DVD and booklet refer to the following contact details:

Queensland Mines and Energy

Information Centre
Level 2, Mineral House
41 George Street
Brisbane Qld 4000
Phone: +61 7 3237 1434
Email: sales@dme.qld.gov.au
www.dme.qld.gov.au

Geological Survey of Queensland
Block A , 80 Meiers Road
Indooroopilly Qld 4068
Phone: +61 7 3006 4666
Email: geological_info@dme.qld.gov.au 

As at 1 November 2009, 36 RAs have been created of which 9 have been repealed.

• Mineral land release areas map (PDF, 135 kB)

The first group of four repealed resulted in two entities being successful, a Korean consortium consisting of Hanwha Australia, Sun Metals Corporation and KORES Australia, and Gold Aura Ltd.

The second group of four RAs repealed on 30 March 2008 were assessed and resulted in SK Australia Pty Limited being given priority for three and Holloman Minerals Pty Ltd given priority for one.

Upon repeal of RA321, in three stages from 15 February to 14 June 2009, the successful entity for stage 1 was China West International Holdings Limited. Stages 2 and 3 are currently being assessed.

Call for tenders

Information is available on the current availability and requirements of making tenders for an Authority to Prospect (Petroleum) and a Geothermal Exploration Permit, including tender areas, assessment criteria, gazette notice and details of fees, closing date and lodgement address.