Understanding Exploration
Community
Essential partners in sustainable development
Working Together
The minerals industry understands that landowners and communities want to learn more about minerals exploration, how explorers and communities work together and the environmentally responsible approach taken by explorers. We are committed to working alongside communities as we plan and carry out mineral exploration activities.
Our policies
Community Policy
We are committed to understanding and creating meaningful relationships within our community.
Environmental Policy
We are committed to contributing to the growth of industry in a way that is responsible and sustainable.
Landowner Information
It's important for landowners to know and understand how they are involved in the exploration process.
FAQ
What do exploration companies do?
We are improving our understanding of the geology and how it relates to the development of mineralisation beneath the surface.
To look in areas where there is little to no rock cropping out, soil sampling, drilling and geophysical surveys are needed. All these methods are transient in nature and of no lasting impact upon the land or waterways.
We cannot mine under an exploration licence.
What is an exploration licence and why do we need it?
An exploration licence is issued by the State of Victoria to allow explorers an opportunity to look for minerals on the land, as well as gain a more comprehensive understanding of the geology of the region. The licence may be for up to 5 years, with a right to renew for a further 5 years.
In areas where we cannot see the geology at the surface, we need to:
- take small soil samples, or
- conduct drilling, or
- complete airborne or land-based geophysical surveys.
All these methods have no lasting impact upon the land or environment.
Will you rehabilitate exploration sites?
Yes. Rehabilitation is a licence requirement. Exploration activities are so temporary that they have little to no lasting impact on the environment. Drilling in particular is low-impact, so site rehabilitation is limited to appropriately sealing the ~10cm diameter hole following standard licence decommissioning procedures.
Will you use hydraulic fracturing?
No. We will not use hydraulic fracturing.
Hydraulic fracturing is a method used in oil and gas production and not used in any of the work we do. The Victorian government has banned fracking altogether. The ban was added to Victoria’s constitution in March 2021.
How and when do you meet with landowners on exploration ground?
If work is considered on private land, access and compensation agreements are discussed with the landowners. Any agreement for access and compensation is between the parties concerned, and the compensation required is decided on a case-by-case basis depending on personal circumstances.
Our Community Policy is available on this website.
Do you need state government permission for access to Crown land?
Yes, we require consent from relevant land managers. We also require informed consent from private landholders if we wish to explore on their land. Consideration is given to noise and access for the surrounding community.
Will you impact the groundwater?
All water required in the process of low-impact exploration drilling is brought onto site as potable water, recycled during the drilling process and is taken off site at the completion of drilling. As per standard licence conditions the used water is disposed of at registered disposal sites in accordance with the Earth Resources and Environment Protection regulations.
Information on drillhole management can be found here:
Where is the water sourced from?
All water used in the drilling process is brought onto and taken off site as potable water.
The supplier and where they supply from will be area and case dependent. Water is stored temporarily in small tanks on site and during the drilling process is recycled as much as possible to dramatically reduce the water required. Water usage is not dissimilar to any other bore drilling activity.
As per standard licence conditions the used water is disposed of at registered disposal sites in accordance with the Earth Resources and Environment Protection regulations.