Renew or vary an exploration licence

Exploration licences are valid for up to 5 years and can be renewed for a further 5 years, plus up to five years on evidence of exceptional circumstance.

You need to apply for a minerals exploration licence renewal before the licence expires, and pay the renewal fee. The licence continues until the renewal is granted and registered; or refused.

Your application needs to include the geological rationale for the work program; and should be focused on target testing and the resource area.

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

To transfer a licence you need to submit a licence transfer form.

1. Download the licence transfer form (WORD - 91.9 KB) .
2. Fill in the form.
3. Print the form.
4. Sign the form.
5. Scan or take a clear photo of the completed form.
6. Login to Resource Rrights Allocation and Management (RRAM) portal and submit the form as an attachment.

Based on Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 (MRSDA) Section 36 and Sections 38A(1), (2), (2A) and (2B).

Relinquishment

1. During the life of an exploration licence, the area covered by the licence must be reduced by:
   • At least 25% on the second anniversary of granting the licence; and
   • At least a further 35% of the area as originally granted, on the fourth anniversary; and
   • At least a further 20% of the area as originally granted, on the seventh anniversary; and
   • At least a further 10% of the area as originally granted, on the tenth anniversary.
2. If two or more exploration licences are held, the licensee may, for the purposes of relinquishment, request that the area covered by the combined licences be considered as a single area.
3. If two or more exploration licences are held, and share common boundaries, the licensee may, prior to relinquishment, request that the licences are amalgamated into a single licence.
4. The relinquishment of an area cannot be waived, but may at the request of the licensee, be deferred.

Amalgamation

A licensee may request that two or more licences are amalgamated into single licence, with the earlier licence becoming the on-going. All others will be cancelled.

Licences that have different Native Title Status cannot be amalgamated.

Amalgamation may be considered where:

• Licences are of the same relinquishment status (refer to scenario 1 below).
• Licences have not passed the fourth, seventh or tenth anniversary and have a different relinquishment status. The licensee must agree that prior to amalgamation, each licence has the same relinquishment status (refer to scenario 2 below).
• A licence that has passed the fourth, seventh or tenth anniversary will only be considered for amalgamation with a licence of a different relinquishment status if exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated (refer to scenario 3 below).

To surrender a licence please send us the following information:

• Licence number
• Reason for surrender
• Signatures of all licencees.

If the licence is held by a company, please submit your request using an official company email or letterhead.

Send your surrender request to licensing.err@deeca.vic.gov.au