rules???

[Goldtarget]

Bit of a read but here is the PDF copied verbatim. If you can wade through this summary you can see the status quo has been changed since the reorginisation from the DPI as it was to its current form (DEWLP)

PROSPECTING IN VICTORIA

1. What is a Miners Right?

A Miners Right is a permit to prospect for minerals on unreserved Crown Land or Private
Land where the permission of the landowner has been granted.

2. What is prospecting / fossicking?

Prospecting involves the use of metal detectors, hand tools, pans or simple sluices in the
search for gold and gemstones.

3. Why is a Miners Right required to prospect for minerals?

All minerals belong to the Crown, even on private land. A Miners Right transfers the
ownership of any minerals found whilst prospecting, to the holder of the Miners Right.

4. Who needs a Miners Right?

Anyone searching for minerals needs to have an exploration licence, a mining licence or a
Miners Right.

5. Does that mean that a Miners Right is required even if you are fossicking on your
own land?

Yes.

6. How much is a Miners Right?

Refer to Earth Resources Fees and Charges

7. How long does a Miners Right last?

You can purchase a Miners Right for 2 or 10 years, but not exceeding 10.

8. Do pensioners, people who are unemployed or people with disabilities receive any
concessional discount if they purchase a Miners Right?

No.

9. Do hobbyists or gemstone seekers require a Miners Right?

Yes.

10. If a family goes away prospecting and fossicking does each family member need a
Miners Right?

All adults who intend to fossick must have a Miners Right. Children under supervision of an
adult with a Miners Right do not need a Miners Right of their own.

11. Is there an age limit which excludes children from the need to hold a Miners Right
of their own, if accompanied by an adult Miners Right holder?

Not specified, but 18 years is normally adult.

12. Where can you sell or buy gold?

To buy or sell gold, look in the yellow pages of the telephone directory under Gold Buyers.
Gold can also be sold at any bank.

13. Can the holder of a Miners Right prospect in Victorian River beds?

Yes, but there are exclusions (see List of exempted rivers and streams).

14. Can I enter onto private land to prospect, without the permission of the landowner?

No. If you do so, you will be trespassing.

15. Does the holder of a Miners Right who is given permission to prospect on private
land, require the consent in writing or is verbal consent sufficient?

Theoretically, verbal consent is sufficient, but in your own best interests, it should be in
writing. In event of a dispute you will need to prove permission given.

16. Can I enter onto land occupied by a current Mining Licence for the purpose of
prospecting?

You will need the permission of the licence holder to prospect on their Mining Licence, as
well as the permission of the land owner if it is on private land.

17. Can I use explosives when I am prospecting?

No.

18. Can I remove or damage shrubs or trees when I am prospecting?

No.

19. Can I disturb an archaeological site or Aboriginal place or object?

No. Relics and artefacts that are part of historical features or archaeological deposits (eg.
bricks, building stone, mining machinery, etc) must not be dislodged or removed. These are
protected by the Heritage Act 1995.

Please advise Parks Victoria of any artefacts that may be found, as these will assist them in
understanding the history and significance of the places they manage.

20. Is panning in riverbeds permitted?

In some rivers yes, but not in conjunction with other motorised equipment (see list of
exempted rivers and streams).

21. Where can I find out what areas are available for prospecting on a hobby basis?

Minerals and Petroleum Business Centre, Level 16, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000 Ph:
9658 4454

22. Where can I buy topographical maps (showing contours, roads etc)?

Information Victoria, 505 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000 Ph: 1300 366 356

23. Where can I buy geological and fossicking maps?

Department of Primary Industries Information Centre, 16th Floor, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne
Vic 3000. (Geological Maps and Reports)

Ph: 9658 4440.

Information Victoria, 505 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000 Ph: 1300 366 356

24. What if damage is done to the land while prospecting?

You must repair any damage to the land arising out of the search or you will face prosecution.

25. What if we discover a treasure trove while prospecting?

Treasure troves that may be discovered while prospecting belong to the Crown and must be
reported to the Police.

26. Is prospecting in State Parks permitted?

Generally NO. However, prospecting is permitted in limited areas in the following Parks:

Beechworth Historic Park
Enfield State Park
Kooyoora State Park
Paddys Ranges State Park
Reef Hills State Park
Steiglitz Historic Park
Warrandyte State Park



Gemstone only fossicking:

Cape Liptrap Coastal Park
Cape Schanck Coastal Park
Mornington Peninsula National Park
Otway National Park

27. Where can I obtain full details of where I can prospect?

Please contact the following offices to obtain full details of where you can prospect.

 

[Goldtarget]

28. Is prospecting in National Parks permitted?

Yes, in designated areas (as listed below) and where listed above for gemstone fossicking.

Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park
Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
Greater Bendigo National Park
Heathcote-Graytown National Park
St Arnaud Range National Park

29. Does the holder of a Miners Right need the consent of an Exploration Licence
holder to prospect on land covered by an Exploration Licence?

No.

30. Where a river passes through private land, is the river classed as Crown Land?

Varies, check with local DSE office.

31. What areas on either side of a river are classed as Crown Land? Are these areas
available for prospecting/fossicking with a Miners Right?

Varies, check with local DSE office.

32. Can the holder of a Miners Right use motorised equipment to process gravel for
minerals that has been excavated using hand held equipment and loaded into the
processing equipment by hand?

Yes, however, significant land disturbance using these methods will not be permitted.

33. If any gold is found on an Exploration Licence by the holder of a Miners Right, is
there any legal obligation to notify the Exploration Licence holder of the find?

No.

34. Who then is the legal owner of gold found on an Exploration Licence by the holder
of a Miners Right?

Provided it has been extracted in accordance with a Miners Right, the Miners Right holder.

35. Can an applicant for a Mining Licence give consent for a person to prospect/fossick
on the tenement applied for?

No.

36. Can the holder of a Mining Licence or Mining Lease give consent for a person to
prospect on the tenement? Can the licence holder legally impose conditions under the
Mineral Resources Development Act (MRDA) or any other legislation?

Yes. The mining licence holder can give consent with conditions, and withdraw the consent
at any time

37. Can the holder of a Miners Right prospect over an area covered by an application
for a Mining Licence?

Yes.

38. Apart from gaining the owner/occupiers consent are there any other requirements
for prospecting on private land under the authority of the Miners Right using hand
held tools?

Yes, see Q1 - What is a Miners Right?.

39. Can a Miners Right be purchased for less than two years? If so, what is the cost
reduction?

No, a Miners Right can only be issued for either a 2 or 10 year period. The cost reduction is
nil.

40. Which government agencies etc, are authorised to demand to inspect a Miners
Right document and under what circumstances?

An inspector of mines or a public servant delegated by the Director of Mines, anywhere.

41. Is a photocopy of a Miners Right acceptable for field inspections?

No.

42. Is a print out of a Miners Right acceptable for field inspections?

Yes, where the Miners Right has been purchased on line.

43. Does a private landowner have any right to claim ownership to gold found on his
property by a prospector?

No, the Crown owns mineral reserves. The only way a landowner can claim ownership of
gold found on his property is if he himself has found it under a Miners Right or a Mining
Licence.

44. Does a Mines Inspector have the right to enter onto private property without the
owners consent if there is no existing Mining Licence on the area of private land?

Yes, provided that it is in the course of their duties.

Extracts relating to Miners Rights from:

MINERAL RESOURCES (SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT) ACT 1990

55. MINERS RIGHT

(1) A Miners Right entitles the holder to search for minerals on any of the following land,
unless the land is covered by a mining licence -

a) private land, but only with the consent of the owner or occupier; and

b) Crown land (other than land exempted under Section 6 or 7 of this Act or nominated
under Section 7(1) of the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978.)

(1A) If the land is covered by a mining licence, the holder of a miners right is entitled to
search for minerals on the land if he or she has, in addition to any consent required under sub-
section (1), the consent of the licensee.

(2) A consent granted under sub-section (1) and (1A)

(a) may be granted subject to conditions: and

(b) may be withdrawn at any time by the person who granted it.

(2A) If the holder of a miners right is validly on any land under this section, he or she may
remove from the land any minerals discovered by him or her on the land.

(3) A miners right is current for the time, not exceeding 2 years, specified in the miners
right

 

[Goldtarget]

58. OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDER

(1) The holder of a miners right acting under that right must not -

(a) use any equipment for the purposes of excavation on the land, other than non-
mechanical hand tools; or

(b) use explosives on the land; or

(c) remove or damage any tree or shrub on the land; or

(c) disturb any Aboriginal place or Aboriginal object on the land.

Penalty: 100 penalty units.

(2) The holder of a Miners Right must repair any damage to the land arising out of the
search:

Penalty: 50 penalty units.

(3) The holder of a miners right must produce the miners right for inspection if asked to do
so by an inspector or any person acting under a delegation conferred under section 91.

MINERAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2002

13(3) A miners right does not take effect until it has been signed by the person to whom it
was issued.

LIST OF RIVERS, RIVULETS, CREEKS, CHANNELS, AQUEDUCTS, LAKES,
RESERVOIRS, SWAMPS, INLETS, LOUGHS and STRAITS (see Question 3)

The Order in Council, dated 23rd May 1881 (Gazette 27th May 1881, page 1389)

 

[Goldtarget]

Now here is where it gets really interesting for the whole exempt rivers debate. Notice the above Gazette. It holds a different list than the "current" list. Ill post up the previous published list. I think its fair to argue the change is more than unfair. My notable omission is Bendigo creek, a creek I was directing members into under the (seemingly outdated) assumption is was in fact not on the exempt list. Any way, what a farce. Apologies for the form, copy and paste is hard to tidy up.

The Order in Council, dated 23rd May 1881 (Gazette 27th May 1881, page 1389)

Aberfeldy River (Tributary of Thompson River)

Acheron River (Tributary of Goulburn River)

Agnes River

Aire River

Albucutya Lake

Albert River

Andersons Inlet

Andersons and MacKenzie
Creek (Tributary of of Wallaloo Creek)

Avoca River and ana-
branches

Avon River (in County of Tanjil, Tributary of Lake

Avon River (in County of Kara Kara,

Avon Creek (in County of
Kara Kara, Tributary of Wellington)

Avon River)

Axe Creek
(Tributary of Campaspe River)

Back or Boosey Creek
Tributary of Broken Creek)

Bael Bael Lake

Baillies Creek
(Tributary of Mount Emu Creek)

Barham River (see Burrum Burrum)

Barkly River (Tributary of Macalister River)
Barr Creek (Effluent of Gunbower Creek)

Barwidgee Creek (see Myrtle)

Bass River

Belfast Lough and channel

Bemm River

Benambra Creek
(Tributary of Piccaninny Creek)

Bet Bet Creek
(Tributary of Loddon River)

Big River (in County of
Bobong, Tributary of Mitta Mitta River)

Big River (in County of
Wonnangatta, Tributary of Goulburn River)

Black River
(Tributary of Goulburn River)

Black Dog Creek (see Doma
Munji)

Boggy Creek

Bolangum Creek (Tributary
of Avon River in County of
Kara Kara

Boort Lake and channel

Box Creek
(Tributary of Pyramid Creek)

Bream Creek (see
Thompsons)

Briggs Creek
(Tributary of Mount William
Creek)

Broken River
(Tibutary of Goulburn River)

Broken Creek
Tributary of Murray River

Brucknell Creek
Tributary of Hopkins River

Buchan River
Tributary of Snowy River

Buckland River
Tributary of Ovens River

Buffalo River
Tributary of Ovens River

Bullabul Creek
Tributary of Loddon River

Bullarook Creek
Tributary of Tullaroop or Deep Creek

Bullock Creek
Tributary of Pyramid Creek

Bundarra River (in County
of Bogong) Tributary of Big River

Buneep or Bunyip River

Bunga Lake and islands (in
County of Tanjil)

Bungalally Creek
Tributary of Bet Bet Creek

Bunyip Creek

Burn Bank Creek

Burnt Creek
Tributary of Wimmer River

Burn Bank Creek

Burnt Creek (in County of
Gladstone) Tributary of Bet Bet Creek

Burnt Creek Tributary of Wimmer River

Burrowye Creek
Tributary of River Murray

Burrum Burrum or Barham
River

Calder River
Tributary of Calder Lade

Calder Lake and channel

Campaspe River
Tributary of River Murray

Campbells Creek (see
Carapooee)

Cann River Tributary to Lake Furnell

Caralulup Creek Tributary to Bet Bet Creek

Carapooee of Campbells
Creek

Tributary of Avoca River

Cardinia Creek

Carrum Swamp Channels

Castle Creek
Tributary of Goulburn River

Cobungra Creek (in County
of Bet Bet)
Tributary of Big River

Coimadai Creek
Tributary of Werribee River

Coliban River

Coliban, Little River
Tributary of Coliban River

Concongella River
Tributary of Wimmera River

Condah Lake

Connewarre Lake and channel

Cooper Lake

Coorong Lake

Cooyatong or Koetong
Creek
Tributary of River Murray

Cornella River
Tributary of Lake Cooper

Corong or Coorong Lake

Corryong or Jeremal or
Nariel Creek
Tributary of River Murray

Crawford River
Tributary of Glenelg River

Creswick Creek
Tributary of Tullaroop or Deep Creek

Crooked River
Tributary of Wongungarra River

Cudgewa Creek
Tributary of River Murray

Curdies River

Curdies Inlet

Dabyminga Creek
Tributary of Goulburn River

Daisy Hill Creek
Tributary of Mount Greenock Creek

Gibbo Creek

Dandenong Creek

Dargo River
Tributary of River Murray

Darlots Creek

Deddick or Jingallala River
Tributary of Snowy River

Deegay Ponds Creek
Tributary of Goulburn River

Deep Creek (see Tullaroop)

Delatite River
Tributary of Goulburn River

Denison Lake and channel

Djerriwarrh Creek
Tributary of Werribee River

Doctors Creek
Tributary of Bet Bet Creek

Doma Mungi or Black Dog
Creek
Tributary of Murray River

Donnellys Creek
Tributary of Aberfeldy
River

Duck Ponds Creek

Erskine River

Eumeralla River

Fentons Creek
Tributary of Avoca River

Fifteen-mile Creek
Tributary of Ovens River

Fitzroy River

Forest or Mannering Creek
Tributary of Campaspe River

Franklin River

Fultons Creek
Tributary of Aberfeldy
Creek

Furnell Lake and channel

Fyans or Mount Fyans Creek
Tributary of Mount William
Creek

Gaffneys Creek
Tributary of Goulburn River

Gellibrand River

Kangaroo Creek
Tributary of Malmsbury River

Genoe River

Glenelg River

Glengower Creek (see
Joyces)

Glenpatrick Creek
Tributary of Wimmera
River

Gobur or Godfreys Creek
Tributary of Home Creek

Heifer Station Creek
Tributary of Wimmera River

Hindmarsh Lake

Hodgsons Creek
Tributary of Ovens River

Hollands Creek
Tributary of Broken River

Home Creek
Tributary of Goulburn River

Honeysuckle Creek (see
Violet Ponds)

Hopkins River

Indigo Creek
Tributary of River Murray

Jack Rivulet
Tributary of Albert River

Jamieson River
Tributary of Goulburn River

Jeremal Creek (see
Corryong)

Jerusalem Creek
Tributary of Goulburn River

Jim Crow Creek
Tributary of Loddon River

Jingallala or Deddick River
Tributary of Snowy River

Jones or Waanyarra Creek
Tributary of Loddon River

Kanannook Creek

Kangderaar Creek
Tributary of Bullabul Creek

Kelfeera Creek (see Kilfera)

Kiewa River
Tributary of River Murray

Kilfera or Kelfeera Creek
Tributary of Hollands Creek

King Lake and islands

King River
Tributary of Ovens River

King Parrot Creek
Tributary of Goulburn River

Kinypanyal or Kinypanial
Creek
Effluent of Loddon River

Koetong or Cooyatong Creek
Tributary of River Murray

Koo-wee-rup Drainage
channels

Koo-wee-rup Swamp

Korjamunip Creek
Tributary of Werribee River

Korkuperimul Creek
Tributary of Werribee River

Korweinguboora Creek
Tributary of Korjumunip
Creek

Danmunkle Creek
Effluent of Wimmera River

Emu Creek
Tributary of Axe Creek

Landsborough Creek

Lang Lang River

La Trobe River
Tributary of Lake Wellington

Lerderderg River
Tributary of Werribee River

Lexington Creek

Little River (in County of
Grant)

Little Coliban River
Tributary of Coliban River

Little Wimmera River (see
Mount William Creek

Livingstone Creek
Tributary of Mitta Mitta River

Lockharts Creek (in County
of Bogong)
Tributary of Sandy Creek

Loddon River
Tributary of River Murray

Lonsdale Lake

Lyndger Lake and channel

Macalister River
Tributary of Thompson
River

Maclennans Straits

Mackenzie Creek (see
Andersons)

Mackenzie (see McKenzie
River)

Magorra Creek or West Branch of Snowy Creek
Tributary of Snowy Creek

Mallacoota Inlet and arms
and islands

Malmsbury Reservoir

Mannering or Forest Creek
Tributary of Campaspe River

McCallums Creek (see
Mount Greenock)

McIvor or Mt Ida Creek
Tributary of Campaspe River

McKenzie River and to Norton Creek
Tributary of Wimmera River

Howqua River
Tributary of Goulburn River

Hughes Creek
Tributary of Goulburn River

Merton Creek
Tributary of Delatite River

Middle Creek
Tributary of Joyces Creek

Mitchell River
Tributary of Lake King

Mitta Mitta River
Tributary of River Murray

Moe River
Tributary of La Trobe River

Moorarbool River
Tributary of Barwon River

Morass (see Murphy) Creek

Mordialloc Creek

Morses Creek
Tributary of Ovens River

Morwell River
Tributary of La Trobe River

Mountain Creek
Tributary of Avoca River

Mount Cole Creek
Tributary of Avoca River

Mount Emu Creek
Tributary of Hopkins River

Mount Fyans or Fyans Creek
Tributary of Mount William Creek

Mount Greenock or
McCallums Creek
Tributary of Tullaroop or Deep Creek

Mount Hope Creek
Tributary of Kow Swamp

Mount Ida or McIvor Creek
Tributary of Campaspe River

Mt William or Little
Wimmera River
Tributary of Wimmera River

Moyne River and Swamp
channel

Muddy (see Yea River)
Creek

Murphy or Morass Creek
Tributary of Gibbo Creek

Kow Swamp

Lalbert Lake

Labert Creek
Effluent of Avoca River

Murrindal River
Tributary of Buchan River

Myrniong Creek
Tributary of Werribee River

Myrtle or Barwidgee Creek
Tributary of Ovens River

Myrtle Creek
Tributary of Coliban River

Nariel Creek (see Corryong)

Narracan Creek
Tributary of La Trobe River

Niagara or Snobs Creek
Tributary of Goulburn River

Nicholson River
Tributary of Lake King

Norton Creek and aqueduct
from Mackenzie River
Tributary of Wimmera River

Outlet Creek from Lake

Ovens River

Parker River

Hindmarsh and from Lake
Albucutya
Tributary of River Murray

Parwan Creek
Tributary of Werribee River

Piccaninny Creek
Tributary of Mount Hope Creek

Pohlmans Creek
Tributary of Wild Duck Creek

Porbenurrock Swamp
Drainage channel

Purrumbete Lake

Pyramid Creek
Tributary of Loddon River

Reedy Creek
Tributary of Ovens River

Reeve River and islands

Richardson River (in County
of Kara Kara)
Tributary of Avon River

Richardson Creek
Tributary of Richardson
River

Rubicon River
Tributary of Goulburn River

Meadow Creek
Tibutary of king River

Merri River

Merrimans Creek
Tributary of Lake Dennison

Serpentine Creek
Effluent of Loddon River

Seven Creeks
Tributary of Goulburn River

Seven-mile Creek
Tributary of Wimmera River

Shaw River

Six-mile Creek
Tributary of Wimmera River

Snobs (see Niagra) Creek

Snowy River

Snowy Creek
Tributary of Mitta Mitta
River

Spring Creek

Spring Hill Creek
Tributary of Mount Emu Creek

St Arnaud Creek
Tributary of Carapooee Creek

Steavenson River
Tributary of Acheron River

Stockyard Creek

Stokes River
Tributary of Glenelg River

Strathfillan Creek
Tributary of Carapooee Creek

Stringers Creek
Tributary of Thompson River

Sunday Creek
Tributary of Goulburn River

Surry River

Swedes Creek
Tributary of Richardson River

Sydenham Inlet

Tallandoon Creek

Tallangatta Creek
Tributary of Mitta Mitta River

Tambo River

Tributary of Lake King

Tamboon Inlet

Tanjil River

Murrabit River
Tributary of Loddon River

Murray River and ana-
branches

Thompson River
Tributary of La Trobe River

Thompsons of Bream
Creek
Tributary of La Trobe Creek

Thowgla Creek
Tributary of Corryong Creek

Timbarra River
Tributary of Tambo River

Timor Creek
Tributary of Bet Bet Creek

Toolern Toolern Creek
Tributary of Werribee River

Toomuc Creek

Tooginbooka River
Tributary of Snowy River

Traralgon River
Tributary of La Trobe River

Trawalla Creek
Tributary to Mount Emu
Creek

Tullaroop or Deep Creek
Tributary of Loddon River

Tyers River
Tributary of La Trobe River

Tyers Lake and arms and
outlet to Ninety-mile Beach

Tyrell Creek
Effluent of Avoca River

Tyrell Lake

Victoria Lake and islands

Victoria River
Tributary of Cobungra
Creek

Violet Ponds of Honeysuckle
Creek
Tributary of Seven Creeks

Waanyarra Creek (see Jones)

Wabba Creek
Tributary of Cudgewa
Creek

Wallaloo Creek
Tributary of Richardson
River

Wannon River
Tributary of Glenelg River

Wellington Lake

Running or Black Range
Creek
Tributary of King River

Sandy Creek (in County of
Kara Kara)
Tributary of Avon River

Wingan River

Wingan Inlet

Wombat Creek
Tributary of Jim Crow Creek

Wongungarra River
Tributary of Wonnangatta
River

Wonnongatta River
Tributary of Mitchell River

Yackandandah Creek
Tributary of Kiewa River

Yallock Creek

Yambuk Lake and channel to
the sea

Yarra River

Yarriambiack Creek
Effluent of Wimmera River

Yarrowee River
Tributary of Barwon River

Yea River (formerly Muddy
Creek)
Tributary of Goulburn River

Wentworth River
Tributary of Mitchell River

Tarago River
Tributary of Bunyip River

Tarwin River

Werribee River

Wild Duck Creek
Tributary of McIvor Creek

Wimmera River and ana-
branches

CO

 

[Eski]

SO ,
1. what are the chances of being "Caught" - by the right person
2. what are the chances of being caught and it was prosecuted
3. what is the actual penalty.

then multiply odds if 1 and 2 and weigh that up with the penalty.

ambiguity in "law"/"regs"/bylaws /requirements requires us to ask ourselves this very question.

Look at the building code and what people get away with because of ambiguity in how it is written.

 

[moeee]

RULE 1 - If you feel as though you are breaking a rule , then you probably are , or should be - don't do it or stop doing it.
If you don't feel as though you are breaking a rule , you will prolly get off with a warning - or should.

 

[Goldtarget]

SO ,
1. what are the chances of being "Caught" - by the right person
2. what are the chances of being caught and it was prosecuted
3. what is the actual penalty.

then multiply odds if 1 and 2 and weigh that up with the penalty.

ambiguity in "law"/"regs"/bylaws /requirements requires us to ask ourselves this very question.

Look at the building code and what people get away with because of ambiguity in how it is written.

As much as the Greenies would hate to hear it the answer to 1 & 2 is that is is extremely low.

The fact is most places with any signage have very scarce visitation by authorities. There are some notable exceptions, where prospecting areas that have been designated among actively managed areas. Outside of those few places I would imagine unless you remained there for extended periods your activities would draw no attention.

As for prosecution, I'm not aware of anyone (using hand tools or recreational prospecting ) ever being convicted. I've heard of dedicated works with machines escaping fines, so historical accounts post Gold Rush can be reliably reported as zero or next to zero.

The penalties are pretty steep though should they successfully be enforced.

 

[Eski]

I think you are on the money OldGT,.
Greenies, maybe they should monitor areas and then follow through with enforcement- all very easy to do when someone else is doing it!

In terms of "feeling like i'm breaking the rules"...... hmmm , where did i leave that hydraulic nozzle....

But seriously, ground sluicing by redirecting stream flow... this does NOT feel wrong to me. - the stream does this day in day out and moreso when in flood.

 

[Folgore_202]

So, as a foreign citizen, can I buy a Miner's license, even if I'm just here for a short time? As far as I understand, I can't go panning without it, so I may well end up buying one.
My goal in going prospecting isn't to become rich or anything, I'm just invited by my cousins and we want to do something original and interesting in the nature, so I'm not here to make a living selling gold or something along those lines. At best, I'll just keep some gold or a gem (if I find them, that is) and have them made into jewelry back home.

 

[Troutman]

So, as a foreign citizen, can I buy a Miner's license, even if I'm just here for a short time? As far as I understand, I can't go panning without it, so I may well end up buying one.
My goal in going prospecting isn't to become rich or anything, I'm just invited by my cousins and we want to do something original and interesting in the nature, so I'm not here to make a living selling gold or something along those lines. At best, I'll just keep some gold or a gem (if I find them, that is) and have them made into jewelry back home.

Hi Folgore_202,

To answer your question correctly we will need to know what state of Australia you are going to "fossick" or "prospect" in. Each Australian state has it's own separate laws and this applies particularly to Mining Licences so you need to follow the laws of the state you are in and if you visit more than one state you may need more than one Mining Licence.

Cheers,
Troutman

 

[ken2m]

So, as a foreign citizen, can I buy a Miner's license, even if I'm just here for a short time? As far as I understand, I can't go panning without it, so I may well end up buying one.
My goal in going prospecting isn't to become rich or anything, I'm just invited by my cousins and we want to do something original and interesting in the nature, so I'm not here to make a living selling gold or something along those lines. At best, I'll just keep some gold or a gem (if I find them, that is) and have them made into jewelry back home.

All the states have different regulations, so you will have to pick which state you will be prospecting in to ensure you can follow the regulations for that state. Ken.

 

[TheMediocritist]

To add to OldGTs detail above...

The March 18, 1881 gazette specifies rivers & streams and reserved from sale (this was to ensure they remained available for public purposes). It includes distances; typically 100 links (~20m) or 150 links (30m).
http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1881/V/general/25.pdf

These beds, banks and reserves were excepted from occupation for the purposes of mining (not a typo, excepted, not exempted) under the Mines Act in 1914.
http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1914/V/general/66.pdf

I consider anything beyond the original to be fair game, apart from areas subject to other rules (National Park etc.).