Getting mining tenure (Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration, WA)

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3. Getting mining tenure # Getting mining tenure In Western Australia the Mining Act 1978 outlines the law as it relates to the exploration and development of minerals mining. Last updated: 24 June 2025 In Australia, State and Territory governments oversee all laws and regulations for minerals exploration and development. In Western Australia the [*Mining Act 1978*](https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/main_mrtitle_604_homepage.html) (the Act) outlines the law as it relates to the exploration and development of minerals mining. Operations must also consider native title, environmental regulations and safety. **Learn more about Getting mining tenure below.** [](/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/miners-rights)  ## Miner’s Rights How to get permission to fossick or prospect in Western Australia. [](/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/section-40e-permit-system)  ## Section 40E permits How to get permission to prospect on land within a granted exploration licence. [](/service/natural-resources/mineral-resources/marking-out-mining-tenure)  ## Marking out mining tenure How to mark out your mining tenement. [](/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/surveying-of-mining-tenements)  ## Surveying of mining tenements How to get your mining tenement surveyed. [](/service/natural-resources/mineral-resources/private-land-and-mining-tenure)  ## Private land and mining tenure A Permit to Enter is required to search for minerals on private property. [](/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/mining-tenure-types-western-australia)  ## Mining tenure types Which type of mining tenure do I need? [](/service/natural-resources/mineral-resources/ministerial-consent-mining-tenure)  ## Ministerial consent Permission to carry out mining operations on Reserved Lands. [](/government/document-collections/mining-tenure-additional-reading)  ## Mining tenure – additional reading Further information on mining in Western Australia. Sidebar **Useful links** - [Online systems and my account](/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/dmpe-online-systems-and-my-account "DMPE - Online systems and my account") - [Mineral Titles Online (MTO)](/service/natural-resources/mineral-resources/access-mineral-titles-online-mto "Access Mineral Titles Online (MTO)") - [TENGRAPH](/service/natural-resources/mineral-resources/access-tengraph-web "Access TENGRAPH Web") ## Provided by [Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration](/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration) ## Contact Telephone: [+61 9 222 3626](tel:+6192223626) Email: <mineraltitles.enquiries@dmpe.wa.gov.au> [Regional offices](/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration-office-locations) [ Print this page](#) ## Share  - [Facebook share(Opens in a new tab/window)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wa.gov.au%2Forganisation%2Fdepartment-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration%2Fgetting-mining-tenure) - [X(Opens in a new tab/window)](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wa.gov.au%2Forganisation%2Fdepartment-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration%2Fgetting-mining-tenure) - [LinkedIn(Opens in a new tab/window)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wa.gov.au%2Forganisation%2Fdepartment-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration%2Fgetting-mining-tenure) - Copy URL ## Have a question or want to report a problem? Fill in the form to get assistance or tell us about a problem with this information or service. [Send feedback](/have-question-or-want-report-problem?agency=Department%20of%20Mines%2C%20Petroleum%2C%20and%20Exploration&url=/organisation/department-of-mines-petroleum-and-exploration/getting-mining-tenure) Acknowledgement of Country, Footer navigation and Copyright info ## Acknowledgement of Country The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present. Footer Navigation - [Terms of use](/terms-of-use) - [Privacy](/privacy) - [About this website](/about-website) © Government of Western Australia 2017 to 2026