Exploring Temporary Pauses on Minerals Activity in Victoria

Victoria’s rich goldfields and expansive Crown land areas offer incredible opportunities for recreational prospecting, but understanding the rules is essential for staying compliant with the law. A recent Resources Victoria article has generated discussion about temporary pauses on minerals activity, with some confusion about how they affect recreational prospectors. It’s also crucial to distinguish these pauses from permanent restrictions like Section 7 (S7) exemptions under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 (MRSDA).

In this guide, we’ll unpack the Resources Victoria article, clarify what temporary pauses mean, and explain how to identify restricted areas to ensure you prospect responsibly.

You can access a more detailed version of this here.

 

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What Are Temporary Pauses on Minerals Activity?

Temporary pauses on minerals activity are short-term restrictions implemented by the Victorian government to halt specific mining or exploration activities in certain areas. These pauses are typically introduced to:

Protect sensitive environmental areas.

Preserve Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Review or update public land-use policies.

Address community concerns or conflicts.

These pauses are often mapped in GeoVic under the Current Mineral Moratoriums layer and apply primarily to commercial-scale activities. They do not usually affect recreational prospecting for hobbyists with a miner’s right.

 

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What the Resources Victoria Article Says About Temporary Pauses

The Resources Victoria article acknowledges the existence of temporary pauses, emphasizing that they don’t significantly limit recreational prospecting. It states:

“Temporary pauses on minerals activity in small sections of the state don’t impact recreational prospecting. Victorians can continue to search for gold and other minerals across most of the state’s 3.1 million hectares of state forest, as well as specific areas within some national, state, historic and heritage parks.”

This statement reassures hobby prospectors that they can still access ample areas for recreational gold hunting. By highlighting “most of the state’s 3.1 million hectares of state forest,” the article emphasizes availability rather than restrictions, pointing to the abundance of legal land where prospecting is permitted.

 

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Distinguishing Temporary Pauses from S7 Exemptions

While the article focuses on temporary pauses, it’s critical to understand how they differ from permanent restrictions like S7 exemptions:

 

Temporary Pauses on Minerals Activity

What They Are:
Temporary, time-limited government restrictions that primarily apply to mining and exploration licences.

Where to Find Them:
Displayed in GeoVic under the Current Mineral Moratoriums layer.

Impact on Recreational Prospecting:
These pauses do not prohibit hobby prospecting with a miner’s right, provided the area isn’t otherwise restricted.

 

Section 7 (S7) Exemptions

What They Are:
Permanent restrictions under Section 7 of the MRSDA that prohibit mining, exploration, and prospecting in specific areas of Crown land.

Where to Find Them:
Displayed in GeoVic under the Land Status and Restrictions layer.

Impact on Recreational Prospecting:
S7 exemptions prohibit all prospecting activities, even for holders of a miner’s right.

The Resources Victoria article does not mention S7 exemptions at all, leading to some confusion. It focuses solely on temporary pauses and their limited impact, without addressing permanent restrictions.

 

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What the Article Emphasizes

The article is optimistic about recreational prospecting, highlighting:

Excitement of Gold Prospecting:

“On the back of some recent amateur discoveries across western Victoria, giving a miner’s right for Christmas is a great way to introduce family to Victoria’s historic regions and the excitement of exploring for gold – and it could result in a valuable discovery.”

Rules for Recreational Prospecting:

“Recreational prospecting is permitted in state forests and in designated areas of some national, state, historic and heritage parks. The use of mechanical equipment or explosives is not allowed, vegetation and Aboriginal objects must not be removed or damaged.”

These statements reinforce the availability of legal areas for prospecting while omitting more complex details like S7 exemptions, leaving it to prospectors to verify restrictions for specific locations.

 

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How to Check for Restrictions Using GeoVic

To ensure you’re prospecting legally, use GeoVic to verify land status and restrictions:

Access GeoVic:
Visit the GeoVic mapping tool and open the interactive map.

Enable Relevant Layers:

 

 

Current Mineral Moratoriums: View areas with temporary pauses on mining or exploration activities.

Land Status and Restrictions: Identify S7-exempt areas or other permanently restricted zones.

Mining and Exploration Licences: Check for active or suspended licences that may impact access.

Search for Specific Locations:

Focus on regions like the Golden Triangle to identify temporary moratoriums or permanent restrictions affecting Crown land.

Use the Identify Tool:
Click on specific areas to view detailed information about restrictions, including whether they are subject to temporary moratoriums, S7 exemptions, or other rules.

 

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Key Takeaways for Recreational Prospectors

1. Temporary Pauses are Limited:
These pauses typically impact commercial activities and do not prohibit hobby prospecting in legal areas.

2. S7 Exemptions Are Binding:
S7 exemptions completely prohibit prospecting, regardless of temporary moratoriums or other rules.

3. The Article Focuses on Temporary Pauses:
The Resources Victoria article highlights temporary pauses but does not address restrictions like S7.

4. Use GeoVic to Verify Access:
GeoVic remains the most reliable tool for identifying both temporary and permanent restrictions on Crown land.

 

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Final Thoughts

While the Resources Victoria article provides reassurance about the availability of prospecting areas, it overlooks permanent restrictions like S7 exemptions, which remain in force regardless of temporary pauses. To prospect legally and responsibly, hobbyists must verify land access using tools like GeoVic and consult official resources.

Victoria’s goldfields offer exciting opportunities for recreational prospectors—just make sure you understand the rules before heading out!

Happy prospecting! ✨

Here's the video on made on this topic on the OzGeology Youtube Channel: