Understand the NSW legislative framework for exploration, mining or production.

You can ensure compliance with the legislation by complying with the respective policies, guidelines, and by using the right forms.

Legislation

All exploration and mining activity in NSW must be conducted under an authority.

Most authorities are issued under the following legislation, which cover onshore areas of NSW.

Offshore titles beyond three nautical miles from the coast are issued under:

Offshore titles beyond three nautical miles of the coastline are considered to be in Commonwealth waters and are regulated by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.

All mining and petroleum projects and most exploration activities in NSW require environmental assessment under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) before they can commence.

Other legislation may apply to certain activities.

Health and safety legislation

The following information directs you to the Safety & health section. 

The Resources Regulator is the regulator of health and safety legislation for mining and onshore petroleum activities.

Policies

Titles

Policies further outline the position of Resources & Energy and the legislative requirements for holding an authority.

  • View policies for exploration licences, mining leases, production leases and assessment leases

Environment

Policies further outline the position of Resources & Geoscience and the legislative requirements for managing environmental activities.

Safety and health

The following information directs you to the Safety & health section. 

Policies concerning health and safety in mines and related issues in NSW are enforced by Resources Regulator.

Guidelines

Titles

Guidelines for titles cover the publication of notices of applications, community consultation, exploration and mining reporting, plus information on how our decisions can be reviewed and appealed.

  • View guidelines for exploration licences, assessment leases, mining leases and production leases

Survey and drafting directions

The following information directs you to the Applications & approvals section. 

All surveys, plans and digital data submitted to the department for coal and metlalliferous mines must follow the survey and drafting directions issued by the Surveyor General on the advice of the Board of Surveying and Spatial Information.

Environment

Environmental guidelines cover a variety of topics, such as assessment of impacts, rehabilitation and subsidence management.

Mining design guidelines

The following information directs you to the Safety & health section. 

Mining design guidelines can be downloaded for free online.

Printed copies of the Mining Design Guidelines are also available to purchase.

Opal mining

The following information directs you to the Lightning Ridge section. 

A Code of Conduct has been drawn up specifically for miners and the Western Lands Lessees affected by the opal mining industry at Lightning Ridge and surrounding district.

Forms

Minerals, coal, petroleum and coal seam gas titles

The following information directs you to the Applications & approvals section. 

Applications for exploration licences, assessment leases and mining leases for minerals and coal are governed by the Mining Act 1992.

For petroleum and coal seam gas, applications for exploration licences, prospecting authorities, assessment leases and productions leases are governed by the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991.

For titles application forms go to:

Opal mining

The following information directs you to the Lightning Ridge section. 

There are specific forms for mineral claims in the Lightning Ridge Mineral Claims District for application, renewal, transfer, cancellation and suspension of mineral claims.

Environment

Forms are required for all environmental approvals and reporting.

Safety and health

Safety and health notifications

The following information directs you to the Safety & health section. 

Many mining activities need formal notification under health and safety legislation, such as nominating an operator, plant registration and high risk activities.

Access to drill core

The following information directs you to the Geoscience information section.

To inspect samples from our drill core libraries, please return a completed inspection and sampling sheet one week before your intended visit.

To pay for the access charges to EC Andrews Drill Core Facility, you will need to fill in a payment form

Tools

Safety and health

The following information directs you to the Safety & health section.  

A range of safety tools and audit checklists are available.

Environment

The rehabilitation cost estimation tool provides guidance in calculating appropriate rehabilitation estimates.

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Related sites
For further information
Resource Operations
Phone:
+61 (0)2 4063 6600
resource.operations@planning.nsw.gov.au
PO Box 344 Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310
Postal:
Resource Operations, Mining, Exploration and Geoscience, Department of Regional NSW, PO Box 344 Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310
Office:
516 High Street Maitland NSW 2320 Map
Lightning Ridge Office
Phone:
+61 (0)2 6820 5200
Fax:
+61 (0)2 6829 0825
lightningridge.office@planning.nsw.gov.au
Postal:
NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Division of Resources and Geoscience, PO Box 314 Lightning Ridge NSW 2834
Office:
Lot 60 Morilla Street Lightning Ridge NSW 2834 Map
W B Clarke Geoscience Centre
Phone:
+61 (0)2 4777 7800
corelibrary.admin@geoscience.nsw.gov.au
Office:
947-953 Londonderry Road, Londonderry, NSW 2753 Map
Mine Safety Operations
Phone:
1300 814 609 (option 1)
Fax:
+61 (0)2 4931 6790
mine.safety@planning.nsw.gov.au
Postal:
Mine Safety, Resources Regulator, NSW Department of Planning and Environment, PO Box 344 Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310
Office:
516 High Street Maitland NSW 2320 Map