Mineral Resources Act 1989

Upon the hearing by the Land Court under this part of all matters in respect of an application for the grant of a mining lease, the Land Court shall forward to the Minister—

any objections lodged in relation thereto; and

the Land Court’s recommendation.

For subsection (1)(b), the Land Court’s recommendation must consist of—

a recommendation to the Minister that the application be granted or rejected in whole or in part; and

if the application relates to land that is the surface of a reserve and the owner of the reserve has not consented to the grant of a mining lease over the surface area, the following—

a recommendation to the Minister as to whether the Governor in Council should consent to the grant over the surface area;

any conditions to which the mining lease should be subject.

A recommendation may include a recommendation that the mining lease be granted subject to such conditions as the Land Court considers appropriate, including a condition that mining shall not be carried on above a specified depth below specified surface area of the land.

The Land Court, when making a recommendation to the Minister that an application for a mining lease be granted in whole or in part, shall take into account and consider whether—

the provisions of this Act have been complied with; and

the area of land applied for is mineralised or the other purposes for which the lease is sought are appropriate; and

if the land applied for is mineralised, there will be an acceptable level of development and utilisation of the mineral resources within the area applied for; and

the land and the surface area of the land in respect of which the mining lease is sought is of an appropriate size and shape in relation to—

the matters mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (c); and

the type and location of the activities proposed to be carried out under the lease and their likely impact on the surface of the land; and

the term sought is appropriate; and

the applicant has the necessary financial and technical capabilities to carry on mining operations under the proposed mining lease; and

the past performance of the applicant has been satisfactory; and

any disadvantage may result to the rights of—

holders of existing exploration permits or mineral development licences; or

existing applicants for exploration permits or mineral development licences; and

the operations to be carried on under the authority of the proposed mining lease will conform with sound land use management; and

there will be any adverse environmental impact caused by those operations and, if so, the extent thereof; and

the public right and interest will be prejudiced; and

any good reason has been shown for a refusal to grant the mining lease; and

taking into consideration the current and prospective uses of that land, the proposed mining operation is an appropriate land use.

Where the Land Court recommends to the Minister that an application for the grant of a mining lease be rejected in whole or in part the Land Court shall furnish the Minister with the Land Court’s reasons for that recommendation.

If—

the application is for the grant of a coal mining lease; and

under section 318BA, a preference decision is required;