Mines Legislation & Policy

The Department of Mines and Energy (DME) administers the following Acts related to mining and petroleum:

• Alcan Queensland Pty. Limited Agreement Act 1965
• Aurukun Associates Agreement Act 1975
• Central Queensland Coal Associates Agreement Act 1968
• Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999
• Commonwealth Aluminium Corporation Pty. Limited Agreement Act 1957
• Explosives Act 1999
• Fossicking Act 1994
• Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009
• Mineral Resources Act 1989
• Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999
• Mount Isa Mines Limited Agreement Act 1985
• Offshore Minerals Act 1989
• Petroleum Act 1923
• Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004
• Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982
• Queensland Cement & Lime Company Limited Agreement Act 1977
• Queensland Nickel Agreement Act 1970
• Thiess Peabody Mitsui Coal Pty. Ltd. Agreements Act 1962

DME also administers associated regulations and recognised standards, guidelines and codes of practice.

In May 1999, the Queensland Government transferred responsibility for the environmental management and regulation of mining from the Department of Mines and Energy to the Environmental Protection Agency .

Information about current Queensland legislation can be found at the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel web site .

Underground Coal Gasification Policy

The Queensland government's policy on underground coal gasification (UCG) was announced on Wednesday 18 February 2009. The policy provides for a UCG pilot phase over the coming years to gather the necessary information to assess the future viability of a prospective UCG industry in the State.

Geothermal energy is heat energy contained within the earth's crust derived from natural geological processes. It may occur in various forms, including geothermal water and steam, or as hot dry rocks. Geothermal energy can be used in a variety of industrial applications, including large-scale electricity generation.

Hot dry rocks may be found at depths greater than three kilometres below the earth's surface and can be hotter than 200°C. Queensland has significant resources of hot dry rocks, which has potential as a virtually carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission free source of energy.

Geothermal Energy Policy and Legislation

On 12 April 2007, the Government conducted a geothermal tenures workshop attended by a number of industry groups. Following the workshop, the department invited written submissions concerning topics raised in the discussion paper, Options for geothermal exploration and production tenures, which closed on 04 May 2007. The views obtained from industry at the workshop and the written submissions will contribute to the development of the production legislation.

• Options for geothermal exploration and production tenures (PDF,166 kB)

 Legislation

Legislative proposals are being developed to address the full regime of exploration and production of the geothermal industry. Further to the workshop and consultation with the industry, it is proposed that there be consultation with industry and the public on draft legislative proposals later this year.

The Geothermal Exploration Act 2004 is proposed to be repealed and replaced by new legislation to provide the framework for exploration and production of geothermal energy in Queensland.

The proposed legislation is intended to provide a regulatory framework for:

• access to land required for geothermal exploration and production;
• development of geothermal energy for commercial purposes; and
• circulation of geothermal fluid through reservoirs contained in rock strata, fault planes or aquifers below the earth's surface, whether natural or artificially created.

Contact

Geothermal Energy Policy and Legislation

Manager, Legislation Unit, Policy Division
7th Floor, 61 Mary Street
PO Box 15216
CITY EAST  QLD  4002

Phone: +61 7 3224 8611
Fax: +61 7 3224 2526

Email: Manager, Geothermal Policy