The Commonwealth Offshore Minerals Act 1994 regulates the exploration for, and the production of minerals other than petroleum over the continental shelf three nautical miles beyond the territorial baseline (generally the low water mark) of the States and Territories. The administration is shared between the Commonwealth, the States and the Northern Territory. A Joint Authority consisting of the relevant Australian Government minister and the State and Northern Territory ministerial counterparts is responsible for major decisions such as grants and refusals. The State and Northern Territory ministers make up the Designated Authority and are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Act.
Applications for a mineral exploration licence (MEL) are made to the Designated Authority. The initial term of a licence is four years and may be renewed for three two year periods subject to satisfactory performance of the licence conditions. There is a mandatory reduction of 50% of the licence area on renewal of an MEL.
As at April 2008, a total of 78 offshore MEL applications had been received since February 1990. Currently there are two active licences, T-2-MRL (Mineral Retention Licence) and T-3-MEL, both of which are in Ringarooma Bay off north east Tasmania. The Mineral Retention Licence owner, Van Dieman Mines plc, is investigating the viability of mining an offshore tin and sapphire deposit. Currently, Van Dieman Mines is constructing an onshore alluvial mine at the Scotia tin and sapphire deposit. Mineral Holdings Australia is exploring for tin and sapphire deposits within T-3-MEL.
An Australian Offshore Minerals Locations map showing mineral occurrences and deposits within Australia's 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf is available from the Geoscience Australia Sales Centre or as a free download. The Australian Offshore Mineral Locations data also can be viewed online by using Geoscience Australia's Australian Marine Spatial Information System (AMSIS).
