Exploration or prospecting

You should review the relevant documents below to help you prepare your application.

If you collect enough information and begin detailed program design at this point, this will help you identify environmental risks and impacts early in the process. It could also help to reduce the likelihood that DMIRS will need more information later on, thus avoiding delays.

There are two ways to submit a PoW application:

1. Programme of Work Spatial (PoW-S)
   The PoW Spatial lodgement system allows you to digitise or upload your activities directly into the system and provides site-specific feedback if you intersect any land of interest. The lodgement questions are also tailored to your activities and the types of land your application intersects. You can then adjust and optimise your application before submission, hopefully resulting in a streamlined application and assessment process.
    
2. Programme of Work Prospecting (PoW-P) 
   Alternatively, if you are undertaking prospecting activities, you can lodge an application for a PoW-P using an application form.

Relevant documents

• Guidance – Management of dieback disease in mineral exploration (2006)
• Guidance – Guidelines for the protection of surface and groundwater resources during exploration drilling (2002)
• Guidelines – Aboriginal Heritage Survey Assistance Program

You can lodge your PoW-S application through the DEMIRS Environmental Assessment and Regulatory System (EARS) until 21 November 2024. From 26 November 2024, PoWs will be lodged and tracked via the Resources Online Portal. For the period of 21 November to 26 November, proponents will be unable to submit PoW applications online.

You can submit your PoW-P application over the counter at any DMIRS office, or electronically through DEMIRS Submissions.

Relevant documents
Read this guide to find out more about submitting your applications and reports electronically.

DMIRS will first allocate your application to an environmental officer for assessment. The officer may need to do the following:

1. Request further information
   You may be asked for further information or to clarify some content. If so, the officer will write to the designated contact on the application. These requests are a ‘stop-the-clock' event.
    
2. Make referrals and requests for advice to other agencies. The officer may need to do this when:

• they require expert information to inform their assessment
• there is a trigger that invokes a memorandum of understanding (MOU) or administrative agreement (AA) with another agency (see the relevant MOUs and AAs on the DMIRS website)

The officer will apply ‘stop the clock’ where appropriate.

Planning for approvals

Parallel processing can help reduce a proposal’s overall approval timeline. DMIRS and DWER are committed to parallel processing of environmental applications where multiple approvals are required.

If your proposal is being assessed under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, DMIRS will parallel process a PoW application. DMIRS cannot decide on an application until either the Minister for Environment sends notification that decision-making authorities may exercise their decision-making powers, or the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) decides not to assess the proposal. 

DMIRS will also parallel process applications but withhold its decision where:

• the tenement conditions require consultation and agreement with any other agency
• the area overlaps an Aboriginal heritage site and the applicant has not begun consultation with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
• the Minister must consent to entry to reserves or other restricted lands.

Approvals from DWER under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 will be needed for camp or drilling water supply.

Where mineralisation may occur in confined or artesian aquifers, DWER will recommend that DMIRS includes conditions on bore design and driller classification.

Relevant documents

• Environmental Applications Administrative Procedures

Website links

• Minerals policies and agreements

DMIRS will notify you about its decision in writing.

If approved, your letter will include any conditions you must adhere to. 

If your application is refused, your letter will state the reasons for the decision.  

When you receive your approval letter, you can proceed. You must meet any conditions stated in the letter.

You must rehabilitate the land within six months of completing the ground disturbance activities, or after an approved extension. You should submit a rehabilitation report to DMIRS when you have finished.

Relevant documents

Programme of Work Rehabilitation Report