Applying for exploration project status in MyMinesOnline
If you have multiple exploration permits and are doing one of the following you may qualify for exploration project status which provides for some additional flexibility under the Mineral Resources Act.
- Exploring for, and/or developing a commodity in a geological unit or sequence, using a particular geological model even though the EPs and MDLs are separate from each other; or
- Exploring for the same mineral/s and have different geological models, but will utilise a central processing site when progression is made to a mining authority; or
- Have different target commodities but form part of the same value added project with centralised infrastructure – such as limestone, iron and chromium for the production of steel or other refinery products; or
- exploring different coal types in different portions of the same basin / sub-basin, and using the resources for blending for the export market; and
- can be demonstrated as being linked as an integral group for exploration and reporting purposes.
If you hold a current exploration resource authority that is within an approved exploration project, you can apply to vary your permit conditions where circumstances arise as a result of the exploration project. This allows you to offset conditions against other tenures within the project.
The following instructions will help you complete the project status application in MyMinesOnline.
To check if you are eligible to apply, read more about changes to resource authority permit conditions.
Gather information and documents
The following information and documents will be requested as part of the MyMinesOnline application process. Ensure you have everything readily available before you start.
List of permits
Identify each exploration permit or mineral development licence to be included in the project.
An exploration permit granted as a result of a call for tender or same day application process may not be included in an exploration project during the first term of the permit. The holder is required to carry out the work program proposed either during the tender process or that was assessed on a merit basis in the case of competing applications and cannot offset work program conditions or relinquishment requirements to other exploration permits.
If you are unsure whether this applies, contact the relevant assessment hub.
Company name
The company name is the company who will be the coordinator for the project.
Supporting documents
Reporting status details for all permits
Table of reporting details and status for each report for the life of the permit to be included in the project. Example:
| Tenure ID | Report type | Due date | Pending/completed |
|---|---|---|---|
Consent of all holders
Document containing consent from all holders for each permit to be included in the project.
Justification of inclusion of permits in a project
Document explaining the justification for each permit to be included in the project. Refer to the Operational policy - Project-based exploration administration policy for criteria for project status. Include maps and other data that may be relevant.
Expenditure details
Table of expenditure details for each exploration permit. Example:
| Tenure ID | Year | Expenditure condition (pre-NROLA) Financial commitment (post-NROLA) | Actual exploration expenditure | Actual non-exploration expenditure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Table of expenditure details for each mineral development licence. Example:
| Tenure ID | Year | Expenditure condition | Actual expenditure |
|---|---|---|---|
Relinquishment schedule
Table of relinquishment schedule for each permit. Example:
| Tenure ID | Number of sub-blocks | Number of sub-blocks for relinquishment | Date relinquishment required |
|---|---|---|---|
Work program requirements
For exploration permits for minerals and coal and mineral development licences, use the Exploration permit project status workbook (XLSX, 2MB) spreadsheet to show the current work program for each permit in the project and to track approved variations. This spreadsheet will need to be updated and included in any subsequent variation and renewal applications.
Read the Exploration permit project status workbook instructions (PDF,836KB) for assistance to complete the workbook.
Find out more about development plans and work programs.
Demonstration of unifying exploration concept and outcome
Document about the geological/exploration concept across the permits, including maps and relevant data.
Statement of obligations
Each permit proposed to be included in the project must be compliant*. Include a statement of obligations with a table listing compliance against each mandatory condition (list Yes or No in each table cell) for each permit. Example:
| Tenure ID | Rent | Reporting | Relinquishment | Work program | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPM/C # | Yes/No* | Yes/No* | Yes/No* | Yes/No* | Yes/No* |
| MDL # | Yes/No* | Yes/No* | Yes/No* | Yes/No* | Yes/No* |
*If an obligation is not compliant, provide justification as to why project status should be approved.
Start your project status application
Ready to start the application?
Click on Exploration project status – Manage project status, then Request project status.
Amending your project status
You can make changes to projects, including adding or removing exploration permits, through MyMinesOnline. Click on Exploration project status – Manage project status, then Amend project status.
Applying for a variation of a permit
Once project status has been approved, you may lodge a variation to conditions of an exploration permit within the project.
To lodge a variation of conditions application, use the vary the conditions form and apply directly through MyMinesOnline.
Variations related to a project should include an updated Exploration permit for project status workbook.