These are areas where the Government has negotiated to gain the land owner's permission
in advance, but where some commercial mining or mining claims and mining leases may
also still occur.
B. Declared Fossicking Areas
These are specific areas where the Government has negotiated access for fossicking
from the land owners in advance and no competition from commercial mining is allowed.
Generally, they are areas where the fossicking materials are at shallow depth and
accessible by hand labour.
C. General Permission Areas
Land owners may give to the district mining registrar, general permission for fossicking
and camping on specific areas of properties to avoid the need for each fossicker
to contact them for individual permissions. These permissions may be given subject
to certain conditions.
D. Written Permission Areas
Areas where written permission has to be obtained from the land owner before fossicking
on the property.
E. Pay to Dig
These are commercial operations, i.e. tourist attractions, where the fossicker pays a fee to be allowed to fossick
in the area. No fossicking licence is required.
F. ILUA AREAS (Indigenous Land Use Agreement Areas)
Areas where permission has to be obtained from the traditional owners. Penalties
for fossicking in these areas without permission can be quite severe.
What does a fossickers licence entitle?
A fossickers licence entitles entry and fossicking on any non-exempt land throughout
the state, with the written permission of any land owner or mining tenure holder.
These may include lessees of State land, trustees of reserves and holders of mining
leases, mining claims and any extraction permits under the Forestry Act 1959 or Water
Act 2000.
If more than one owner or holder is involved, all must give permission.
Learn more about Fossicking Rules and Responsibilities here:
