Mining Act 1980.

This Act covers all matters related to mining activities in Northern Territory, it consists of 193 sections and is divided into 14 Parts. Part 2 is dedicated to the administration of the Act; Part 3 defines miner’s rights; Part 4 covers exploration licences and related registration and fees; Part 5 concerns exploration retention licences; Part 6 mineral leases and related procedures and Part 7 mineral claims. Part 8 is dedicated to extractive minerals and related leases, permits and compensation. Part 10 concerns fossicking, i.e. search for or extract a mineral by digging by hand or hand-held instrument or by using a hand-held instrument, and related permits. The Act also provides for exploration and exploitation of mineral resources in Aboriginal lands (Part 11), the establishment and operation of the warden’s Court (Part 12) and for the creation and operation of the Mining Trust Fund (Part 13A).