You will need this licence if you intend to explore for and take samples of minerals in coastal waters. Western Australia's coastal waters extend three nautical miles out from the coastal baseline.
This licence will authorise you to explore for and take samples of minerals within a specified licence area. A mineral is a naturally occurring substance or mix of substances, such as sand, gravel, clay, limestone, rock, evaporites, shale, oil-shale or coal.
Your exploration licence will specify the area (graticular blocks) you are authorised to explore. You may apply for this licence over a group of up to 500 blocks. The application process depends on what type of blocks you intend to explore:
- Standard blocks - are vacant and have no permit or licence is currently in force over them.
- Tender blocks - are subject to a tender block licence notice published by the agency.
To obtain a licence in respect of tender blocks, you must successfully pass a competitive tender process.