As defined by section 115A(1) of the Mining Act, a mineral exploration report means a report containing records of the progress and results of:
- programmes involving the application of one or more of the geological sciences;
- drilling programmes;
- activities involving the collection and assaying of soil, rock, groundwater and mineral
samples,
that have been carried out in the search for minerals.
In accordance with section 115A (2) and (3) of the Mining Act, a mineral exploration report must be filed with the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (the department) in the prescribed manner and be in the form and contain the information required, in the formats and standards as set out in these guidelines.
These guidelines are gazetted with the approval of the Director General of Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and replace the previous guidelines gazetted on 15 February 2016. It is the responsibility of the tenement holder/operator to file a mineral exploration report that complies with the reporting requirements under the Mining Act, including these gazetted guidelines.