Extractive minerals are sand, gravel, stone, shell or clay used generally for construction purposes but exclude some clays (fireclay, bentonite or kaolin) and also exclude these materials if they are used for industrial, agricultural and ornamental uses.
A Mining Lease Proposal is required to support an application for an Extractive Mineral Lease (EML) and associated Miscellaneous Purposes Licences (MPLs) (for operations such as transport of the mineral, water supply pipeline and water storage facilities, electricity supply).
All Extractive Mineral Leases (EMLs) must be operated in accordance with a Mining and Rehabilitation Program (MARP) approved by the Minister. The MARP sets out an integrated approach to managing all the stages in the life cycle of the mine, including its closure and completion.
The Mining Act 1971 makes the holder of an Extractive Mining Lease (EML) or the owner of a Private Mine (PM) responsible for rehabilitation of that EML or PM.
The Extractive Areas Rehabilitation Fund (EARF) provides a mechanism to fund certain rehabilitation activities on extractive mineral sites.