Mining

Mining and petroleum production in NSW is primarily regulated by the Mining Act 1992 and the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991. The Department of Primary Industries is responsible for administering these Acts.

1. Licences and Leases under Mining Act 1992 and Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991

There are 5 main approvals under the Mining Act 1992. These are:

These 'titles' must be obtained before prospecting or extracting minerals in NSW.

Petroleum exploration and production that occurs on land is regulated by the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991. Similarly, there are four main approvals. These are:

  1. Production leases
  2. Exploration licences
  3. Assessment leases; and
  4. Special prospecting authorities  

There is no online service for searching mining titles in NSW. However, r ecords of Exploration Licences, Assessment Leases, Mining Lease applications and other titles are available at the Department of Primary Industries' head office in Maitland and at regional offices in Orange, Singleton and Wollongong. Details of each Exploration Licence, Assessment Lease, Mining Lease and Mineral Claim (other than those situated at Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs) application and title, including location maps, can be obtained from the Department's computerised Title Administration System (TAS).

The following titles related information can be provided on request:

All requests for titles information must be in writing (letter, fax or email) and must specify exactly what information is required. These requests must also be accompanied by an initial fee including GST of $132 (cheque or credit card details and authorisation). Further fees are payable depending on the time taken to conduct your search.

A full schedule of fees payable is found here: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/minerals/titles/title_searches/title_records

Posted written requests should be marked to the relevant contact and addressed to:

Department of Primary Industries
Titles Program
P O Box 344
Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310

To determine who the relevant contact person is call (02) 4931 6776. There are separate contacts for coal, petroleum and minerals.

2. Conveyancing Searches

Conveyancing searches are usually undertaken by members of the public or solicitors acting on behalf of clients who are purchasing property or land where a report is required listing details of any mining or exploration titles and applications (if any) that affect a particular parcel of land.  

There is currently no online access to these licences. This is because the payment facility regarding online conveyancing searches is being upgraded and consequently the online search facility is temporarily disabled.  

However, there is a facility for conducting a hard copy search of mining titles. To conduct a search, An Application for Search Form  should be completed.  A fee of $55 is applicable. A plan or diagram showing the location of the property in relation to Parish portion numbers or lot /DP numbers must be attached to the form to assist identification from Departmental records. A copy of the form can be found here:

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/37030/conveyance-search-form.pdf

For further information concerning conveyancing searches you can contact the Information officer on (02) 4931 6449.

3. State Mining Map

The TAS Map is free and enables the public to access and view frequently updated titles mapping information across NSW at the scale of their choice.  Map images can be printed straight from the screen display or saved and inserted directly into word processing documents. This application can be found at

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/minerals/titles/online-services/tasmap