Licensing and approvals

Apply for a mining licence

A mining licence gives the licence holder the sole right to mine for specified minerals. The applicant needs to show identification of a mineral resource before applying for a mining licence.

If you're applying for a mining licence, you need to include the following information:Application Requirements

Application Requirements for Mining Licence

  1. A map showing the licence area, including private land and Crown land (scale 1:25,000 or larger).
  2. A mineralisation report with exploration results for the described mineral resource, including:
    • Pre-feasibility studies showing profit potential (completed by a suitably qualified person); or
    • If there are no pre-feasibility studies, the applicant can prove a commitment to mining.
  3. Details of the proposed program of work for each year of the licence.
  4. Details of the estimated annual expenditure for the first five years of the licence.
  5. Evidence of financial capability to fund the estimated expenditure.
  6. A survey of the boundaries of the land proposed to be covered by the licence.
  7. The names and addresses of all owners and occupiers of any private land covered by the application.
  8. The name, address, contact phone number, email address, and qualifications of each technical advisor who will assist in the proposed program of work.
  9. If any of the above technical advisors are not employees of the applicant, evidence that the technical advisor has consented to assist in the proposed program of work.

Detailed information on what you need to include in your application is available in the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (Mineral Industries) Regulations 2019.

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The  Earth Resources Regulator (ERR) regulates minerals exploration in Victoria. ERR’s licence application process is outlined below.

  1. Applicant submits the application including all compulsory information and pays the fee.
  2. Applicant supplies extra information if requested.
  3. ERR (Environmental Regulation and Resources) accepts and ranks application and advises the applicant.
  4. Applicant advertises licence application in local and statewide papers within 14 days of application acceptance.
  5. Objections or comments may be lodged within 21 days of the latest advertisement.
  6. Address any Native Title requirements*.
  7. ERR assesses application, objections, and comments. Applicant may be asked for additional information.
  8. ERR makes a recommendation to grant or refuse the licence.
  9. Minister (or delegate) grants or refuses the licence.
  10. Licence grant or refusal is registered.
  11. Applicant and objectors advised of licence grant or refusal.

* If the application includes Crown land, you may need to settle an Indigenous Land Use Agreement or Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 (TOSA) Land Use Agreement.

View our step-by-step guide to completing the mining licence application form.

Before work can start you will need to:

  • have an approved work plan for mining or if defined as low risk activities operate under the code of practice for low risk mines - for more information, please contact the assessments team
  • provide seven days' notice to the Chief Inspector and owner/occupier of land
  • provide a rehabilitation bond
  • obtain the necessary consents
    • Ministerial consent if exploring or mining on restricted Crown land
    • that the exploration work is low impact exploration
  • obtain public liability insurance
  • obtain owner/occupier consent.

Submit your application online

You can submit and manage most minerals licence or work authority applications and variations online using our Resources Rights Allocation and Management (RRAM) portal.

Login to RRAM

If you are unsure of your RRAM login details, contact RRAM support.

If you are unable to access RRAM you can download the relevant form from the Licence forms page.

More information

Page last updated: 29 Feb 2024