Queensland exploration program

The Queensland Exploration Program provides a schedule for exploration opportunities for coal, minerals and petroleum and gas. In the future, this may also include opportunities for greenhouse gas storage exploration.

The Queensland Exploration Program outlines the tender processes and provides details on the location of each exploration tender area and the timing of the competitive tender process.

2021 Queensland Exploration Program

A 2021 exploration program is under development. All industry expressions of interest received for coal, minerals, petroleum and gas and greenhouse gas storage exploration are being considered for potential inclusion in the program, planned for release in the second half of this year.

Stakeholder engagement

Prior to the release of the exploration program, directly affected stakeholders (including landholders, traditional owners and local governments), as well as community groups and peak representative groups, are engaged regarding the potential exploration areas. The information provided enables stakeholders to be better prepared for participation in future exploration approval processes and negotiations.

We will continue to engage with stakeholders throughout the competitive tendering process.

At the conclusion of the competitive tendering process, a preferred tenderer must meet environmental, native title and any other approval requirements before they can be granted an exploration authority. When an exploration authority has been granted, generally the preferred tenderer must complete land access arrangements and any other approval requirements prior to commencing on-ground exploration activities.

Previous exploration programs

The Queensland Exploration Program continues to build on the exploration opportunities that have been released in Queensland since 2016 through previous exploration programs.

Details on the previous exploration programs are provided in:

• 2020 Queensland exploration program (PDF, 773KB)
• 2018 Queensland exploration program (PDF, 2.2MB)
• 2017-18 Annual exploration program (PDF, 1.2MB)
• 2016-17 Annual exploration program (PDF, 1.0MB)

Contact us

• Email resources-tenders@resources.qld.gov.au or phone +61 7 3096 6191 for help and information about exploration opportunities.
• Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date on competitive tendering, including the exploration program and upcoming tenders.

Also consider...

• Request that an area be considered for future exploration programs.
• Find out about the competitive tendering process.
• View current tenders for exploration.
• Read about the Strategic Resources Exploration Program to expand exploration in North West Queensland.