What will happen if I object to the grant of an Exploration Licence?

The Mineral Resources Development Act 1995 places an obligation on the Director of Mines to attempt to resolve objections and disputes before they are formally heard by the Mining Tribunal.

In practice this means that as a first step Mineral Resources Tasmania will send a map showing the objection(s) to the licence applicant and request that the applicant consider removing the areas from the application.

If the licence applicant does not elect to remove the area of an objection, then the Director of Mines must commence a mediation process. In effect this usually consists of an informal meeting between the parties to discuss particular concerns and which may result in an agreed set of conditions specific to the application area.

If the mediation process is unable to resolve the objection the matter is referred to the Mining Tribunal. The Mining Tribunal is constituted by a Magistrate appointed by the Chief Magistrate. Matters before the Tribunal are dealt with under the Rules of Court set by the Magistrates Court (Civil Divisions) Act 1992. Matters before the court are dealt with in a formal manner and parties may be represented by legal practitioners.