Support for critical minerals mining development and operations

Find information about how to progress a resource project in Queensland including:

• supporting development in our regions
• business and investment services for mining and resources
• environmental authorities' forms and fees
• environmental impact statement processes
• managing and accessing water resources.

Approval process for critical minerals mining projects in Queensland

The resource application process flowchart (PDF, 282KB) reflects the high-level pathways for project approvals of critical mineral mining, for tenure, environmental management and where appropriate, support through the Office of the Coordinator-General. It identifies the processes that need to be done in a particular order and the processes that can occur in parallel.

Read more about interacting with the Queensland Government for your resource project.

Your project may also require Australian Government approvals if the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment considers the project is a 'controlled action' under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. If the project is a 'controlled action' under the Commonwealth legislation it would also be eligible to be assessed under the bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and the State of Queensland, as decided by the Minister for the Environment.

Find information on the role of the Australian Government in project approvals.

Approval timelines

The time it takes to process applications depends on several factors, including:

• tenure type
• potential environmental risk
• the regulatory requirements for the particular project
• the complexity of the application.

Find information on application processing times and other performance measures for resource tenure approvals on the georesources tenure performance dashboard.

Find information on application timeframes for environmental authorities (PDF, 942KB) and environmental impact assessment processes under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

Considering 'coordinated project' status

An early consideration for large resource projects in Queensland is the potential to have the project declared a 'coordinated project' by the Coordinator-General under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.

Learn more about the impact assessment process for coordinated projects (PDF, 158KB).

A proponent of a project with 1 or more of the following characteristics may apply to have it declared as a 'coordinated project':

• complex approval requirements, involving local, state and federal governments
• significant environmental effects
• strategic significance to the locality, region or state, including for the infrastructure, economic and social benefits, capital investment or employment opportunities it may provide
• significant infrastructure requirements.

You will need to apply if you want to be considered for a coordinated project declaration. Early pre-lodgement engagement with the Office of the Coordinator-General is encouraged to understand the coordinated project application process and the benefits to your project if it were to be declared.

Learn more about application requirements for a 'coordinated project' declaration (PDF, 193KB).

A 'coordinated project' declaration triggers the requirement for a project proponent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) or an impact assessment report (IAR). If a 'coordinated project' declaration is made, the Coordinator-General manages the assessment process, which includes working with advisory agencies, Australian Government (if relevant), local government and other organisations to seek input on the EIS or IAR and on any statutory approvals, coordinating public submissions on the EIS or IAR and other documentation, and preparing a final evaluation report.

You may seek advice (based on early pre-design concepts) to:

• determine the feasibility of approvals for a project
• have application processes explained
• be guided on the type of information that will need to be provided in an application to meet legislative requirements.

As you identify the departments you may need to engage with to progress your application journey you may contact each agency to begin a conversation.

• For the mining lease, the Department of Resources is your administering authority. Arrange a pre-lodgement meeting by contacting the assessment hub.
• For environmental permitting, including conversations about the environmental impact statement process under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation is the administering authority and you can complete the form to request a pre-lodgement meeting.
• For the environmental impact statement process under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971, as part of a coordinated project managed by the Office of the Coordinator-General, contact the Coordinated project delivery team:
  • email cpdinfo@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au
  • phone 1800 001 048.
• For social impact assessment under the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017, as part of both environmental impact assessment processes, the Office of the Coordinator-General is the administering authority. For enquiries, contact the Coordinated project delivery team:
  • email cpdinfo@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au
  • phone 1800 001 048.
• For water matters not covered in an environmental approval, contact the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water.

It is reasonable to expect more than 1 pre-lodgement conversation for more complex projects, as plans evolve. Pre-lodgement that supports clear communication and information sharing will streamline your application process.

When pre-lodgement is used effectively, administering authorities are able to make clearer, more timely decisions.