Western Australian Consolidated Acts Western Australian Consolidated 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 —
• exploration; and
• the recovery of mineral samples.
Note 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 —
• exploration; and
• the recovery of minerals but not as part
of a commercial mining operation.
Note 3: A mining licence is designed to cover the
commercial mining phase of a project and authorises —
• exploration; and
• full commercial recovery.
Note 4: A project might make use of any of the
following 3 licence arrangements —
• an exploration licence leading to a mining
licence;
• an exploration licence leading to a
retention licence and then a mining licence;
• a mining licence (without progressing
through an exploration/retention licence stage).
Note 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.
Note 6: If a person wants to carry
out —
• a scientific investigation; or
• a reconnaissance survey; or
• 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.
Note 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).