From 15 November 2010, changes will be made toexploration reporting requirements under the Mining Act 1992 to ensure that high standards of exploration reporting are maintained for the benefit of industry.

Exploration reporting will now be a requirement under the Mining Regulation 2010 where previously this was required by the conditions of title.

Accurate recording of mineral exploration and mining results data will ensure that future mineral exploration is not duplicated, and enables a database of accumulated knowledge to be developed and maintained. Access to this data provides a competitive advantage for the NSW exploration and mining industry.

Reporting guidelines

Commencement from 15 November 2010

The Government is committed to working with industry and other agencies to streamline the reporting and auditing requirements of titles. As part of this process, the guidelines for exploration reporting have been updated to clarify a titles holders’ reporting obligations and assist the Department with the process of issuing and renewing titles.

While title holders are still required to submit Annual Exploration Reports, and Final Reports on termination of a title, six monthly Interim Reports are no longer required. Group Reporting on exploration titles is also being phased out.

To ensure reports are received and processed effectively, all reports, (except Renewal Justification Statements (RJS), and reports relating to Mineral Claims and Opal Prospecting Licences) should be lodged using the Exploration and Environmental Reports Online Lodgement System (EROL).

See Mining Regulation 2010 for more information

Please refer to Exploration Reporting: A guide for reporting on exploration and prospecting in New South Wales for more information.

Renewal Justification Statement

Commencement from 15 November 2010.

A Renewal Justification Statement (RJS) must accompany any application for renewal of a title. Renewal Applications received without an RJS may not be processed. A RJS is not a substitution for an Annual Report. The RJS will be used to assess applications for renewal prior to receipt of all annual reports, thus reducing processing time for renewal applications.

Renewal Justification Statements are a brief report and need to include:

1. An A4 sized summary map or schematic diagram of the entire title area, clearly outlining field explorations and programs undertaken during the current term (period since last renewal). The map should show major prospects and drill hole locations, with details of individual sample locations clearly shown 
2. expenditure incurred for the current term (period since last renewal) 
3. a summary of work proposed if renewal is granted 
4. the proposed expenditure if renewed. 
5. an A4 sized summary map or schematic diagram of the renewal application area, clearly outlining the aerial extent of proposed field exploration programs 
6. a statement justifying the renewal in terms of the department’s renewal policy 

Refer to Section 163C of the Mining Act 1992.

Refer to Clause 36 Part 3 of the Mining Regulation 2010.

Partial Relinquishment Reports

Commencement from 15 November 2010

Partial Relinquishment Reports for areas dropped at the time of licence reduction, were previously only required at the request of the Department. Partial Relinquishment Reports are now a mandatory requirement of all licences and leases. Partial Relinquishment Reports will enable data to be freely available to subsequent explorers soon after the land has been relinquished, as opposed to waiting for total title relinquishment after which all reports become ‘open file’.

Requirements for final reports have not changed.

The Department may grant approval for exemption from submission of a Partial Relinquishment Report if the title holder consents to allowing all previous Annual Reports on the title to be made publicly accessible or ‘open file.’

Refer to Section 163C of the Mining Act 1992.

Refer to Clause 36 Part 3 of the Mining Regulation 2010 for more information.

 

 

Details of the content, format and submission requirements of all reports are provided in Exploration Reporting: A guide for reporting on exploration and prospecting in New South Wales.

Confidentiality

Commencement from 15 November 2010.

Confidentiality requirements are now a requirement of the Mining Regulation 2010 where previously they were a condition of the title. Exploration reports will generally be kept confidential as long as the title to which the reports refer is current.

See Mining Regulation 2010 for more information

Please refer to Exploration Reporting: A guide for reporting on exploration and prospecting in New South Wales for more information.

Reporting Requirements and Timetable

Commencement from 15 November 2010

Type of Report	Information Required	Timing of lodgement	How and where to lodge report
Six monthly Interim reports	No longer required
NO CHANGE Annual Report	An Annual Report on exploration is a comprehensive technical report on the title in question and covers: information about the title’s location, geology, and exploration history full details of all exploration work conducted during the reporting period, including maps and cross sections where necessary. correctly formatted digital files of all results received, discussion of the significance of results and recommendations for further exploration work a record of expenditure incurred.	Yearly, no later than one month following the anniversary of grant.	Report can be submitted using the Exploration and Environmental Report Online Lodgement facility, EROL. The Department does not accept reports submitted via email or hard copy mail.
NEW Renewal Justification Statement	A Renewal Justification Statement is a brief report, mostly in tabular format which provides a summary of: 1. work conducted during the current term (period since last renewal), including a composite summary map showing location of all field work conducted 2.  expenditure incurred 3. a summary of work proposed for the renewal application area 4. the proposed expenditure if renewed. 5. a statement is required justifying the renewal in terms of the department’s renewal policy.	To be lodged at the time of applying for renewal (prior to submission of Annual Reports)	Renewal Justification Statements are required as a component of any renewal application submission.
NEW Partial Relinquishment Report	A mandatory report in relation to sections of a title subject to relinquishment or cancellation, required to contain the following: A summary of all work conducted on the relinquished or cancelled sections of title covering the period from grant to relinquishment. correctly formatted digital files of all results received results and conclusions of surveys and any other operations.	Within one calendar month of the publication in the Gazette of the notice of cancellation or partial renewal.	Report can be submitted using the Exploration and Environmental Report Online Lodgement facility, EROL Alternatively by CD /DVD sent to The Director General PO Box 344 Hunter Region Mail Centre, NSW 2310. The Department does not accept reports submitted by email or hard copy mail.
NO CHANGE Final reports	A report submitted on termination of title.  Should contain A summary of all work conducted on the title,  covering the period from grant to relinquishment. correctly formatted digital files of all results received (if not previously reported) results and conclusions of surveys and any other operations.	Within one month of the expiry or cancellation of title. A final report can be incorporated as part of the last annual report on a title.	Report can be submitted using the Exploration and Environmental Report Online Lodgement facility, EROL. Alternatively by CD /DVD sent to The Director General PO Box 344 Hunter Region Mail Centre, NSW 2310.   The Department does not accept reports submitted by email or hard copy mail.
NO CHANGE Opal Prospecting and Mineral Claim reports	1.   A summary of all work conducted on the title,  covering the period from grant to relinquishment. 2.   Completed drill logs for all holes drilled 3.    A plan showing locations of all drill holes and shafts	Due at the end of the term of the Licence (3 months)	Reports can be submitted in hard copy at the Lightning Ridge office of Industry & Investment NSW
Group reporting on exploration titles	To be progressively phased out and will now be restricted to contiguous mining authorities held by the same entity and worked as a single operation

See Mining Regulation 2010 for more information 

Please refer to Exploration Reporting: A guide for reporting on exploration and prospecting in New South Wales for more information. 

FAQ re: Exploration and Reporting.