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.
- Go to environmental policies for exploration licences, mining leases, production leases and assessment leases
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.
- View the survey and drafting directions
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.
- Read more about the Mining Design Guidelines
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.
- Read the Code of Conduct
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.
- Access the forms for 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.
- Go to notifications
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.
- Download the drill core inspection and sampling form
- Download the payment form [PDF]
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.
- Go to mine safety tools
Environment
The rehabilitation cost estimation tool provides guidance in calculating appropriate rehabilitation estimates.
- Download the tool (ESB26) and associated guidelines from the Environmental Guidelines page
- Phone:
- +61 (0)2 4063 6600
- Email:
- resource.operations@planning.nsw.gov.au
- Email:
- 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
- Phone:
- +61 (0)2 6820 5200
- Fax:
- +61 (0)2 6829 0825
- Email:
- 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
- Phone:
- +61 (0)2 4063 6666
- Fax:
- +61 (0)2 4063 6977 (attn: Compliance Operations)
- Email:
- nswresourcesregulator@service-now.com
- Postal:
- Compliance Operations, NSW Department of Planning and Environment, Resources Regulator, PO Box 344 Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310
- Office:
- 516 High Street Maitland NSW 2320 Map
- Phone:
- +61 (0)2 4777 7800
- Email:
- corelibrary.admin@geoscience.nsw.gov.au
- Office:
- 947-953 Londonderry Road, Londonderry, NSW 2753 Map
- Phone:
- 1300 814 609 (option 1)
- Fax:
- +61 (0)2 4931 6790
- Email:
- 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