Land Access & Tenure Processes
Exploration and mining tenures
View a list of recently granted tenures, including exploration permits, mineral development licences, mining leases, authorities to prospect for petroleum, and petroleum leases
Native title and environmental issues
With all tenures, native title and environmental issues must be addressed prior to gaining a right to enter upon the land.
- Contact the Native Title unit on (07) 3405 5597, with questions about applying for exploration, mining and petroleum tenures.
- The Environmental Protection Agency, which administers the environmental management and regulation of mining for minerals and coal, has delegated administration of some petroleum activities to DME. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency website for relevant environmental authority (exploration) forms and petroleum application forms.
Protection of extractive resources
The State Planning Policy: Protection of Extractive Resources 2/07 is designed to provide planning protection for significant extractive resources throughout Queensland.
The policy is a joint initiative between the Departments of Mines and Energy and Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation.
Royalties and rents
A royalty represents a payment to the State for the right of use of the State's mineral resources. Generally royalty is payable when mineral is sold, disposed of or used.
Rents are levied at different rates, and are payable annually on all exploration, mining and petroleum tenements held.
Further information
Further tenures information and services are available from Mines regional and district offices throughout the state.
Information on land available for exploration and mining is available from the IRTM database. Daily-updated spatial tenure data is also available.
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