Transfer of Mineral Claims
Requirements & Considerations
Check Claim Details
Before agreeing to purchase a mineral claim, it is suggested that you check the details of the claim with the Director-General. The Director-General can provide you with the following information
- the name of the claim holder;
- the expiry date of the claim;
- the location of the claim; and
- any outstanding matter with the claim, that needs to be fixed before any consideration could be given to transferring the claim.
Attend Mining Courses
Newcomers intending to acquire a mineral claim must attend the "Safety Awareness Course" prior to a claim being granted or transferred to them. In addition, the "Environmental Awareness Course" must be completed, prior to being granted or transferred a claim in Opal Prospecting Area 4. It is now a requirement to nominate a qualified Mine Operator on all claims within ALL Opal Prospecting Areas.
Be Aware of Associated Costs
- Stamp duty (www.osr.nsw.gov.au) payable on the consideration/price paid for the claim
- A security deposit, usually set at $700.00, to ensure that your obligations (including rehabilitation) under the claim are fulfilled
- Lodgement fees
Lodgement of Transfer Applications
The following must be lodged personally with the Team Leader - Lightning Ridge by the person acquiring the claim
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Application for transfer of a mineral claim |  147 Kb |
| Application for transfer of a mineral claim following devolution | 141 Kb |
Grant of Transfer Applications
After considering an application for transfer of a mineral claim, the Director-General may transfer the mineral claim or may refuse the application.
The Director-General, upon transferring a mineral claim to you, will ask you to sign the claim conditions and agree to comply with their requirements. As the holder of a mineral claim it is your responsibility to
- be aware of and comply with the conditions of your claim; and
- properly maintain the markout defining the claim area
Failure to do so may result in fines being imposed or cancellation of your claim.
Please note that the transfer of a mineral claim does not change the expiry date of the claim. If you want to continue to hold the claim you must apply for renewal at the appropriate time. Therefore, you should keep the expiry date in mind. A renewal application must be lodged on or within 2 months before the day on which the claim is due to expire.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Application for renewal of a mineral claim within a mineral claims district | 154 Kb |
Further Enquiries
If you have any questions concerning the transfer of mineral claims please contact the Lightning Ridge office.