Coal exploration reporting information
Holders of coal exploration titles are required under the Mining Act (1992), to lodge reports on current exploration activities and expenditure, and the proposed exploration program, including expenditure for the following reporting period.
Upon expiration or termination of an exploration licence, the title holder is also required to lodge a comprehensive report containing full particulars of all exploration activities, including expenditure, carried out by the licence holder during the currency of the licence. The report should also include results of such exploration activities and conclusions reached regarding the potential of the coal resource in the licence area.
In addition, an assessment of the adequacy of exploration programs is undertaken prior to the grant of a mining lease. The Department must be satisfied that the amount of exploration is sufficient to prepare a conceptual mine plan. This ensures that the Department can support a development proposal that maximises the resource recovery of the area.
Submitting exploration reports and digital data
As of 15 November 2010 all coal exploration reports and data must be submitted in digital form, as set out by Exploration reporting: a guide for reporting on exploration and prospecting in New South Wales.
Coal exploration reports and data must be submitted electronically using the Exploration & Environmental Reports Online Lodgement (EROL) application.
Reports and data supplied to the Department under coal exploration, assessment and mining titles are considered confidential for the life of the title. This includes any renewals and transfers of the title. Coal exploration data generally does not become available until after titles have been relinquished.
However, for a variety of reasons small amounts of company exploration data may occasionally become available. All exploration carried out by the Department's Minerals Division, including joint venture exploration with companies, is made available to the public.
Extensions and exemptions from reporting requirements
The Mining Regulation 2010 allows for authority holders to apply for an extension of the period within which a report must be lodged, or for an exemption from reporting requirements. However, extensions and exemptions are not generally granted except in cases of extreme hardship.
Applications for extensions or exemptions must be lodged 30 days prior to the date the report is due using the ER01 – Extension or exemption from exploration reporting requirement form.
Exemption from reporting requirements does not exempt the authority holder from their obligation to fulfil other conditions of authority, especially the requirements to effectively explore, assess or mine the authority area.
Estimating and reporting Australian black coal resources and reserves
The Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) requires that all public reporting of resources and reserves of black coal comply with the guidelines.
Similarly, the Department requires all resource and reserve statements for black coal included in reports required under the Mining Act and associated regulations and conditions of title to comply with the guidelines.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Australian guidelines for estimating and reporting of inventory coal coal resources and coal reserves |  152.2 KB |
Enquiries
Enquiries regarding exploration data and reporting:
Manager Coal Advice
Ph: 02 4931 6666