Step 3. Lodge application with the department

A checklist is available which sets out the requirements for the completion and lodgement of a mining tenement Form 21 application form and supporting documents.

Applications must be made in the Form No. 21 ‘application for mining tenement’ and lodged at any of the department’s Mining Registrar offices, or lodged electronically via the department’s website using ‘Mineral Titles Online (MTO)’.

Prior to using the eLodgement system, parties will be required to register with MTO and be issued with the necessary logon details and also agree to the terms and conditions. Registration is free.

Note: Whilst applications for mining tenements can be lodged electronically outside the department’s opening hours, those applications will be deemed to be received at 8.30am (WST) on the next working day.

Application fees together with the first year’s rent is payable on lodgement of an application for a mining tenement. Information as to current fees and charges is available as a separate sheet.

Note: A $99,999 transaction limit applies where payment is made by credit card.

When applying for a General Purpose Lease or Miscellaneous Licence, the purpose(s) should be specified on the application under Section 87 , Regulation 42B.

It is of the utmost importance that the description of every tenement is clear and unambiguous. This will allow precise plotting on the public plan or TENGRAPH and easy identification of the posts on the ground.

The boundaries of every mining tenement, except an exploration licence, shall be defined from an existing survey mark or other well defined feature, a prominent ground feature shown on the department’s tenement maps, an observed latitude and longitude or Australian Map Grid (AMG), coordinates. Regulation 66.

The techniques of describing land are deceptive in their apparent simplicity. There are some pitfalls but there are also some simple rules to follow.

Essential features

All descriptions should include the following prime features:

• locality
• datum post or starting point
• boundaries
• area.

For examples of descriptions, including methods of measurement, refer to Marking Out and Applying for a Mining Tenement pamphlet.

The application should be accompanied by a statement as required by Section 58 of the Mining Act 1978, specifying:

• the proposed method of exploration
• details of the proposed work program
• estimate of proposed expenditure on the licence
• applicant’s technical and financial resources.

A detailed explanation of the Department’s guidelines when assessing each accompanying statement is provided in the document Guidelines for Applicants – Section 58(1)(b) Statement to accompany applications for exploration licences.