You will need this licence if you intend to recover minerals and / or explore for minerals in coastal waters. Western Australia's coastal waters extend three nautical miles out from the coastal baseline.
Your mining licence will specify the area (graticular blocks) you are authorised recover minerals from and / or to explore. You may apply for this licence over a group of up to 20 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.
You can apply for a mining licence over 2 groups, totalling up to 20 blocks, if you already hold an exploration or retention licence over the blocks.