Australian waters are the offshore area beyond coastal waters, starting 3 nautical miles from shore.
To explore and mine minerals in Australian waters, you must obtain an Offshore Mineral Licence.
Mineral exploration and mining activities can only happen in Australian waters with approval from the relevant Joint Authority. The responsible federal minister and the relevant state or Northern Territory minister generally make up the Joint Authority.
We, in partnership with the states and the Northern Territory, advise the Joint Authority on awarding exploration licences and other titles. We also work with the states and Northern Territory to regulate industry activities. The relevant state or Northern Territory also performs the functions of the Designated Authority.
The states and territories administer any activity within the first 3 nautical miles of the Australian shoreline.
Minerals
A mineral:
- is defined as a naturally occurring substance or a naturally occurring mixture of substances
- may be in the form of sand, gravel, clay, limestone, rock, evaporates, shale, oil-shale and coal.
Minerals do not include oil and gas.
Licences
There are 5 different licences that allow offshore mineral exploration and mining activities.
Exploration Licence
This licence covers the exploration phase of a project and gives exclusive rights to the holder to apply for further approvals to undertake exploration related activities.
Retention Licence
This licence ensures that rights to this area are retained pending a project transiting from the exploration phase to the commercial mining phase.
It allows the licence holder rights to an area:
- where a significant mineral deposit has been found
- which is not commercially viable in the short term
- there is reasonable prospect for development in the longer term.
Mining Licence
This licence covers the commercial mining phase of a project, authorising the recovery of minerals from the licence area, subject to further approvals.
Works Licence
This licence authorises associated operations to be carried outside of an exploration, a retention or a mining licence area, such as a jetty.
Special Purpose Consent
This licence authorises scientific investigations, a reconnaissance survey or the collection of a small amount of minerals. It does not give the holder any exclusive rights or any preference to granting other licences over the area. It can be granted for an area already covered by another licence if the applicant has permission from the affected licence holder.