Fossick MapDo you need a licence?
Yes. Each person who wants to prospect or fossick on Crown land needs a Miner’s Right. Individuals and companies can hold one.
| Where to apply | In person at Mineral House, 100 Plain St, East Perth, or any Mining Registrar’s office; online; or by mail |
| ID | Showing your full name, middle names included |
| Fee | On the mining fees and charges page |
Prospecting or fossicking?
In WA the two words mean different things:
- Prospecting is searching for minerals, gold included. You can use a metal detector.
- Fossicking is searching for rocks, ore and minerals other than gold or diamonds. You can’t use a metal detector to fossick.
Either way, use hand-held tools only and no explosives. You can take samples of up to 20 kg. A Miner’s Right doesn’t let you carry out mining operations.
Where you can go
| Land | Can you go? |
|---|---|
| Unallocated Crown land with no mining tenement | Yes |
| Pastoral leases | Yes, if you notify the lessee. Stay 400 m from waters, and take a dog only with the pastoralist’s consent |
| Mining tenements | Only with the holder’s written permission |
| Exploration licences | Only with a Section 40E permit |
| Private land (farmland) | Only with a Permit to Enter |
| National parks, nature reserves, town sites and cemeteries | No |
| Land under exclusive possession native title | No |
Stay at least 100 m from crops, buildings and cemeteries.
A Section 40E permit lasts three months, allows handheld tools only, and limits you to 2 m below the surface. You must tell the exploration licence holder and the department about any minerals you recover within 14 days of the permit ending.
Keeping what you find
On Crown land with no tenement, you can keep your find. On a tenement, it depends on your agreement with the holder.
Rules on the ground
- Backfill and make safe every hole, pit and trench.
- Take your rubbish and leave the area clean.
- Leave fencing and timber around old shafts where it is.
- No burning off to clear land.
- Carry proof of your authority to be there, protected and legible.
- Report unauthorised activity to ieb@dmpe.wa.gov.au.
Staying safe
WorkSafe WA says to carry a personal locator beacon and a communication device at all times, and 4 to 6 litres of water per person per day. Tell people where you’re going and how long you’ll be away, and take care around old mining centres and workings.