Exploration licences are granted to companies or individuals so that they may explore for minerals. The number of exploration licences decreased from 129 at 30 June 2000 to 101 at 30 June 2001. The area held under all minerals and non-metallic exploration licences also decreased to 8,794 km2, from 11,446 km2 the previous year. A further 30,356 km2 was held for onshore oil exploration.
EXPLORATION RIGHTS HELD, Tasmania - at 30 June 2001
|
| Number
| | Area
|
Mining tenement | June 2000 | June 2001 | | June 2000 | June 2001 |
|
Exploration licences | | | | | |
- All minerals | 115 | 94 | | 11,202 km2 | 8,676 km2 |
- Non-metallic | 13 | 6 | | 244 km2 | 118 km2 |
- Oil (onshore) | 1 | 1 | | 30,356 km2 | 30,356 km2 |
- Total exploration licences | 129 | 101 | | 41,802 km2 | 39,150 km2 |
| | | | | |
Retention licences(a) | | | | | |
- All minerals | 21 | 20 | | 79 km2 | 77 km2 |
- Non-metallic minerals | 13 | 7 | | 203 km2 | 183 km2 |
- Total retention licences | 34 | 27 | | 282 km2 | 260 km2 |
| | | | | |
Prospectors licences issued | 59 | 96 | | . . | . . |
Permits to explore for petroleum under Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 | 6 | 5 | | 455 Blocks | 341 Blocks |
Retention licence under Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1967 | 1 | 1 | | 9 Blocks | 9 Blocks |
. . not applicable
(a) Titles to sub-economic deposits issued for up to 5 years and renewable. They are subject to work programs determined by Mineral Resources Tasmania for example, further intensive exploration, monitoring market conditions.
Source: Mineral Resources Tasmania, Annual Review 2000-2001. |