Buying a mining claim
The process of buying a mining claim is not the same as buying property or buying minerals in the ground.
When you buy a mining claim, you are applying to transfer the statutory authority to hold and work the mining claim, including the rights and obligations attached to that claim. The following steps are involved in becoming the holder of a mining claim.
You are not the holder of a mining claim until your application has been lodged and approved, even if you have exchanged money or have a civil agreement in place.
Pay stamp duty
You must lodge a dutiable transaction statement (form D2.2) with the Queensland Revenue Office.
Lodge a transfer application
You must lodge an application to transfer a mining claim to the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development. You can apply online through MyMinesOnline or using a hard-copy form.
The application must include:
- a completed and signed MMOL-05A Application to transfer a mining claim (PDF, 1MB)
- evidence of Queensland Revenue Office (QRO) transfer duty assessment and payment (above)
- a completed Self assessment calculator—Small Scale Mining Security (PDF, 1MB) including a sketch identifying dimensions of structures and existing workings
- identification for incoming holder(s) (e.g. both sides of current driver licence)
- a Letter of Authority (DOCX, 34KB, if an authorised holder representative is being appointed by the incoming party
- where applicable, evidence that native title requirements have been met, including notification to relevant parties under any Right to Negotiate agreement (e.g. Section 31 Deed – Notice of Assignment)
- evidence that the incoming holder is a registered suitable operator with the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (unless the permit has a SSM Code EA)
- transfer application fee.
Note: We prefer email addresses as a point of contact to speed up communication.
Assessment of transfer application
When we receive your application to transfer a mining claim, we will assess it to ensure the:
- transfer requirements have been met
- outgoing holders have met their obligations (including council rates and charges and fixed outstanding non-compliance actions
- proposed incoming holder is eligible and able to meet the obligations attached to the mining claim.
We will not accept your application if it is incomplete or missing required information.
Becoming the holder of the mining claim
The transfer application must include all the required information listed above. The mining claim is transferred once the application has been approved by the department. The new holder will be notified when the application has been approved.
Renewals and transfer applications
If a transfer application has been lodged followed by a renewal application, the renewal application will be paused until the transfer application is approved.
If a renewal is lodged while a transfer is pending, the renewal application must be lodged by the current holder.
We recommend you coordinate with the current holder to ensure both the renewal and transfer requirements are addressed within the applicable timeframes.
More information
- Read the Permit Transfer Guideline (PDF, ) for more information about the mining claim transfer process and requirements.
- Search for mining claim details and conditions.
- Contact the Small Scale Mining Assessment Hub for more information about mining claim transfers.