Western Australian Current Acts Western Australian Current Acts This Act provides for
the grant of —
(a)
exploration licences (see Part 2.2); and
(b)
retention licences (see Part 2.3); and
(c)
mining licences (see Part 2.4); and
(d)
works licences (see Part 2.5); and
(e)
special purpose consents (see Part 2.6).
Note:
1. An exploration
licence is designed to cover the exploration phase of a project and authorises
—
(a)
exploration; and
(b) the
recovery of mineral samples.
2. A retention licence
is designed to ensure the retention of rights pending the transition of a
project from the exploration phase to the commercial mining phase and
authorises —
(a)
exploration; and
(b) the
recovery of minerals but not as part of a commercial mining operation.
3. A mining licence is
designed to cover the commercial mining phase of a project and authorises
—
(a)
exploration; and
(b) full
commercial recovery.
4. A project might
make use of any of the following 3 licence arrangements —
(a) an
exploration licence leading to a mining licence;
(b) an
exploration licence leading to a retention licence and then a mining licence;
(c) a
mining licence (without progressing through an exploration/retention licence
stage).
5. A licence is
granted over a particular area (constituted by blocks). The licence holder may
need to carry out engineering or other activities outside the licence area. If
so, the licence holder or someone else must obtain a works licence to carry
out those activities.
6. If a person wants
to carry out —
(a) a
scientific investigation; or
(b) a
reconnaissance survey; or
(c) the
collection of only small amounts of minerals,
in coastal waters, the
person must obtain a special purpose consent under Part 2.6 to carry out the
activity.
7. Even though a
person has a licence or special purpose consent, the person must not interfere
unnecessarily with navigation, native title, fishing, resource conservation or
other activities in the area (see section 44).