3Interpretation

### 3 Interpretation > In this Act – > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***Agency*** means – > > > > > > (a) in relation to Tasmania, Agency as defined in the [State Service Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2000-085) ; or > > > > > > > (b) in relation to the Commonwealth, a department, authority or agency of the Commonwealth government; > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpa@EN) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 44 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:21 Nov 2017\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-11-21/act-2017-044#GS4@Hpa@EN) > > > ***approved*** means approved by the Director; > > > ***atomic substance*** means – > > > > > > (a) uranium; and > > > > > > > (b) thorium; and > > > > > > > (c) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 44 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:21 Nov 2017\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-11-21/act-2017-044#GS4@Hpb@EN) any other substance declared to be an atomic substance under [section 200](#GS200@EN) ; > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hpb@EN) > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***Category 1 mineral*** means any – > > > > > > (a) metallic mineral; and > > > > > > > (b) atomic substance; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***Category 2 mineral*** means coal, peat, lignite, oil shale and coal seam gas; > > > ***Category 3 mineral*** means any rock, stone, gravel, sand and clay used in construction, bricks and ceramics; > > > ***Category 4 mineral*** means any petroleum products except oil shale; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hpc@EN) ***Category 5 mineral*** means any – > > > > > > (a) industrial mineral; and > > > > > > > (b) prescribed precious stone; and > > > > > > > (c) prescribed semi-precious stone; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hpc@EN) ***Category 6 mineral*** means any geothermal substance; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpc@EN) ***coal seam gas*** means the gas known as coal bed methane and includes any naturally occurring hydrocarbon, or mixture of hydrocarbons, that is within a deposit of coal or oil shale; > > > ***Code of practice*** means an approved Code of practice; > > > ***compensable loss*** means – > > > > > > (a) damage to the surface of the land; or > > > > > > > (b) damage to crops, trees, grasses, fruit, vegetables or other vegetation on the land; or > > > > > > > (c) damage to buildings, structures or works on the land; or > > > > > > > (d) damage to any improvement on the land; or > > > > > > > (e) loss of opportunity to make any planned improvement on the land; or > > > > > > > (f) deprivation of possession or use of the whole or part of the surface of the land; or > > > > > > > (g) severance of the land from other land of the owner or occupier of that land; or > > > > > > > (h) destruction or loss of, or injury to, disturbance of, or interference with, stock; or > > > > > > > (i) loss of amenity, including recreation and conservation values; or > > > > > > > (j) any decrease in the market values of the owner's or occupier's interest in the land; or > > > > > > > (k) surface rights of way and easements; > > > ***compensation agreement*** means an agreement referred to in [Part 8](#HP8@EN) ; > > > ***consolidated mining lease*** means a lease in force under [Part 4](#HP4@EN) ; > > > ***Crown land*** means any land vested in the Crown; > > > ***Crown lessee*** means the holder of a Crown lease; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 50 of 2013, Sched. 1, Applied:11 Dec 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-12-11/act-2013-050#JS1@Ja19@GC1@Hpa@EN) ***Crown lease*** means a lease in force under the [Crown Lands Act 1976](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1976-028) or the [Forest Management Act 2013](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2013-049) ; > > > ***Crown licence*** means a licence in force under the [Crown Lands Act 1976](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1976-028) ; > > > ***Crown licensee*** means the holder of a Crown licence; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpd@EN) ***development plan***, in relation to a geothermal production licence, means a plan of development that is approved in relation to the licence; > > > ***Director*** means the Director of Mines appointed under [section 8](#GS8@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpe@EN) ***environment*** means components of the earth, including – > > > > > > (a) land, air and water; and > > > > > > > (b) any organic matter and inorganic matter and any living organism; and > > > > > > > (c) human-made or human-modified structures and areas – > > > > and includes interacting natural ecosystems that include components referred to in [paragraphs (a)](#GS3@Nd266201215178@Hpa@EN) , [(b)](#GS3@Nd266201215178@Hpb@EN) and [(c)](#GS3@Nd266201215178@Hpc@EN) ; > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hpd@EN) > > > ***exploration licence*** means a licence in force under [Part 2](#HP2@EN) ; > > > ***explore*** means to determine the existence, quality and quantity of minerals for the purpose of commercial exploitation by – > > > > > > (a) conducting geological, geophysical, geobotanical and geochemical surveys; or > > > > > > > (b) drilling; or > > > > > > > (c) taking samples for the purpose of chemical or other analysis; or > > > > > > > (d) using appropriate instruments, equipment and techniques; or > > > > > > > (e) extracting and removing from land material, mineral or other substances for sampling and testing; or > > > > > > > (f) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpf@EN) carrying out any other activity approved for the purposes of this paragraph by the Minister; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpg@EN) ***field development plan***, in relation to a petroleum production licence, means a plan of field development that is approved in relation to the licence; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 44 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:21 Nov 2017\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-11-21/act-2017-044#GS4@Hpc@EN) ***forest road*** has the same meaning as in the [Forest Management Act 2013](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2013-049) ; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 44 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:21 Nov 2017\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-11-21/act-2017-044#GS4@Hpc@EN) ***forestry right*** has the same meaning as in the [Forestry Rights Registration Act 1990](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1990-011) ; > > > ***fossick*** means to search for minerals for a purpose other than for commercial gain to a depth of 2 metres by – > > > > > > (a) digging by hand; or > > > > > > > (b) using hand held instruments; > > > ***fossil*** means any remains, trace or imprint of a plant or animal that is preserved by normal processes in the earth's crust; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hpe@EN) ***gas*** means any naturally occurring hydrogen, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen, helium or carbon dioxide; > > > ***geology*** means the geosciences; > > > ***geoscientific*** means relating to geology, geochemistry, geophysics, mineralogy and palaeontology; > > > ***Geoscientific Trust Fund*** means the Geoscientific Investigation and Research Trust Fund established under [Part 9](#HP9@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hph@EN) ***geothermal energy*** means thermal energy that was contained in subsurface rock or other subterranean substances; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hph@EN) ***geothermal production licence*** means a geothermal production licence in force under [Part 3A](#HP3A@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hph@EN) ***geothermal reservoir*** means part of a geological structure, including such a structure that has been modified by human activity, which part is suitable for the transmission of a geothermal substance; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hph@EN) ***geothermal resource***, in relation to a geothermal production licence, means the amount, determined in accordance with an approved method by the person who holds or has applied for the licence, of geothermal energy that may be produced from geothermal substances within the area of land to which the licence relates or is to relate; > > > ***geothermal substance*** means a substance occurring naturally or introduced underground which is heated by the natural processes of the earth to a temperature in excess of 40° Celsius; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpi@EN) ***group prospecting licence*** means a group prospecting licence in force under [Part 5](#HP5@EN) ; > > > ***industrial mineral*** means any mineral prescribed as an industrial mineral; > > > ***inspector*** means an inspector appointed under [section 8](#GS8@EN) ; > > > ***land*** includes – > > > > > > (a) land within the beds or banks of any stream and watercourse; and > > > > > > > (b) land beneath the internal waters of Tasmania; and > > > > > > > (c) the sea bed; and > > > > > > > (d) waters in, upon or above land; and > > > > > > > (e) stratum of land; > > > ***lease*** means a mining lease in force under [Part 4](#HP4@EN) ; > > > ***lease area*** means an area of land which is subject to a lease; > > > ***lessee*** means the holder of a lease; > > > ***licence*** means – > > > > > > (a) in [Part 2](#HP2@EN) , an exploration licence in force under that Part; and > > > > > > > (ab) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpj@EN) in [Part 2A](#HP2A@EN) , a special exploration licence in force under that Part; and > > > > > > > (b) in [Part 3](#HP3@EN) , a retention licence in force under that Part; and > > > > > > > (ba) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpk@EN) in [Part 3A](#HP3A@EN) , a production licence in force under that Part; and > > > > > > > (c) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpl@EN) in [Part 5](#HP5@EN) , a prospecting licence and a group prospecting licence, in force under that Part; and > > > > > > > (d) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpm@EN) in any other Part, any licence in force under this Act; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpn@EN) ***licence area*** means an area of land which is subject to an exploration licence, a special exploration licence, a production licence or a retention licence; > > > ***licensee*** means – > > > > > > (a) in [Part 2](#HP2@EN) , the holder of an exploration licence; and > > > > > > > (ab) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpo@EN) in [Part 2A](#HP2A@EN) , the holder of a special exploration licence; and > > > > > > > (b) in [Part 3](#HP3@EN) , the holder of a retention licence; and > > > > > > > (ba) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpp@EN) in [Part 3A](#HP3A@EN) , the holder of a production licence; and > > > > > > > (c) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpq@EN) in [Part 5](#HP5@EN) , the holder of a prospecting licence or group prospecting licence; and > > > > > > > (d) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpr@EN) in any other Part, the holder of any licence in force under this Act; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 6 of 2003, s. 45, Applied:01 Jul 2003\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-07-01/act-2003-006#GS45@EN) ***Magistrates Court (Civil Division)*** means the division of the Magistrates Court established under [section 4 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1992-027#GS4@EN) [Magistrates Court (Civil Division) Act 1992](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1992-027) ; > > > ***metallic mineral*** means any mineral prescribed as a metallic mineral; > > > ***mine*** means any place where mining is being carried out; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hps@EN) ***mineral*** means any metallic mineral, non-metallic mineral, industrial mineral, inorganic substance, coal, oil, gas, petroleum, geothermal substance, atomic substance and matter forming part of the crust of the earth, other than– > > > > > > (a) the subsoil; or > > > > > > > (b) the layer of soil sustaining vegetation; or > > > > > > > (c) any rock, crushed stone, gravel, sand or clay produced on private land for the private use of the owner; or > > > > > > > (d) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hpf@EN) mineral water; or > > > > > > > (e) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hpg@EN) any mineral produced as a by-product of a mining operation and stored as a waste product on a lease area and not sold or otherwise disposed of to another person; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpt@EN) ***Mineral Exploration Code of Practice*** means the Code of practice of that name approved from time to time under [section 204](#GS204@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpu@EN) ***mineral tenement*** means a licence or lease other than a prospecting licence or a group prospecting licence; > > > ***mining*** means any operation or work, other than fossicking or prospecting, carried out to obtain minerals; > > > ***mining lease*** means a mining lease in force under [Part 4](#HP4@EN) ; > > > ***mining operations*** means any operations or work carried out on a lease area – > > > > > > (a) to obtain or treat minerals; or > > > > > > > (b) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpv@EN) to store or contain minerals or waste material generated by mining on that lease area or another lease area; or > > > > > > > (c) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpw@EN) associated with mining – > > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpx@EN) and includes production activities in relation to a Category 4 mineral or a Category 6 mineral; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpy@EN) ***mining plan***, in relation to a lease or an application for a lease, means a plan that sets out information required by the Director including, but not limited to including, the following: > > > > > > (a) the name of the minerals, or category of minerals, to which the lease or application relates; > > > > > > > (b) the site plan, which is to include – > > > > > > > > > > (i) the means by which access to the area of land comprised in the lease is to be obtained; and > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) the infrastructure proposed to be situated on the area of land comprised in the lease; and > > > > > > > > > > > (iii) surface hydrology for the area of land comprised in the lease; and > > > > > > > > > > > (iv) other matters related to activities under the lease; > > > > > > > (c) the proposals for treatment of, transport of, handling of, and storage of, waste from – > > > > > > > > > > (i) minerals obtained under the lease; or > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) the substances from which minerals are to be obtained under the lease; > > > > > > > (d) the requirements for water to be used in mining operations under the lease; > > > > > > > (e) the proposed stages of development under the lease and of any proposed rehabilitation of land in the area of land comprised in the lease; > > > > > > > (f) the provision to be made in relation to closure of the mine on the lease area after mining under the lease ceases; > > > > > > > (g) a description of the potential geological and environmental risks associated with mining operations under the lease; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hph@EN) ***mining product*** means any mineral obtained by mining; > > > ***Mining Tribunal*** means the Mining Tribunal established under [Part 7](#HP7@EN) ; > > > ***native title*** means an approved determination of native title under the *Native Title Act 1993* of the Commonwealth the details of which are recorded in the National Native Title Register under that Act; > > > ***occupier***, in relation to land, means a person in lawful possession of the land; > > > ***oil*** means any natural gas, solid bitumen and mineral oil obtainable by a well other than – > > > > > > (a) mineral oil extractable by the application of heat or chemical process; and > > > > > > > (b) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpz@EN) helium or hydrogen; and > > > > > > > (c) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpza@EN) coal seam gas; > > > ***oil shale*** means shale containing fossilised insoluble organic matter which will yield liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons on distillation; > > > ***owner*** includes – > > > > > > (a) the holder of any Crown land under a contract of sale and purchase; and > > > > > > > (b) the holder of native title to any land; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hpi@EN) ***person*** includes an Agency; > > > ***petroleum*** means any – > > > > > > (a) naturally occurring hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons, whether in a gaseous, liquid or solid state; or > > > > > > > (b) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hpj@EN) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpzb@EN) mixture of one or more such hydrocarbons and gas – > > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpzc@EN) but does not include coal seam gas; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpzd@EN) ***petroleum production licence*** means a petroleum production licence in force under [Part 3A](#HP3A@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpzd@EN) ***petroleum reservoir*** means part of a geological structure (including such a structure that has been modified by human activity) – > > > > > > (a) in which gas or petroleum has accumulated; and > > > > > > > (b) that is suitable for the storage and transmission of gas or petroleum; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpzd@EN) ***petroleum resource***, in relation to a petroleum production licence, means an amount, determined in an approved manner by the person who holds or has applied for the licence, of petroleum contained in a petroleum reservoir to which the licence relates or is to relate; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpzd@EN) ***plan of development***, in relation to an application for a geothermal production licence, means a plan that sets out information required by the Director in relation to – > > > > > > (a) the geothermal resource to which the licence is to relate; and > > > > > > > (b) how access to geothermal substances is to be obtained under the licence; and > > > > > > > (c) how geothermal energy that is produced under the licence is to be used; and > > > > > > > (d) how geothermal resources are to be managed under the licence; and > > > > > > > (e) how geothermal reservoirs are to be managed under the licence; and > > > > > > > (f) any other matter the Director thinks fit; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpzd@EN) ***plan of field development***, in relation to an application for a petroleum production licence, means a plan that sets out information required by the Director in relation to – > > > > > > (a) the petroleum resources to which the licence is to relate; and > > > > > > > (b) how access to the petroleum resources is to be obtained under the licence; and > > > > > > > (c) how the petroleum resources are to be managed under the licence; and > > > > > > > (d) how petroleum reservoirs are to be managed under the licence; and > > > > > > > (e) any other matter, in relation to production activities under the licence, that the Director thinks fit; > > > ***private land*** means any land that is not Crown land; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpze@EN) ***produced*** – > > > > > > (a) in relation to geothermal energy – see [section 3A(2)](#GS3A@Gs2@EN) ; and > > > > > > > (b) in relation to petroleum – see [section 3B(4)](#GS3B@Gs4@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpze@EN) ***production activities*** – see [section 3B](#GS3B@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpze@EN) ***production licence*** means a petroleum production licence or a geothermal production licence; > > > ***prospect*** means to explore for minerals to a depth of less than 2 metres below the surface of the earth or of any pre-existing excavation by means of a hand held instrument; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpzf@EN) ***prospecting licence*** means a prospecting licence in force under [Part 5](#HP5@EN) ; > > > ***public land*** means – > > > > > > (a) any Crown land; and > > > > > > > (b) any land vested in a body or authority established under a law of the State for a public purpose; and > > > > > > > (c) any land vested in a body corporate in which the Crown has a controlling interest; > > > ***public purpose*** means a purpose for the benefit of the public in general; > > > ***public reserve*** means any land reserved for a public purpose; > > > ***quarter*** means a period of 3 months ending on 31 March, 30 June, 30 September or 31 December in any year; > > > ***record*** includes any document, financial statement or plan stored or maintained by any means; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 44 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:21 Nov 2017\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-11-21/act-2017-044#GS4@Hpd@EN) ***register*** means the mining register kept under [Division 5](#HP10@HD5@EN) of [Part 10](#HP10@EN) ; > > > ***Registrar*** means the Registrar of Mines appointed under [section 8](#GS8@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 4 of 2017, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2019\]*](/view/html/inforce/2019-07-01/act-2017-004#JS1@Ja73@GC1@EN) ***Rehabilitation Trust Fund*** means the Rehabilitation of Mining Lands Trust Fund continued under [Division 4](#HP10@HD4@EN) of [Part 10](#HP10@EN) ; > > > ***relevant period*** means the period starting when an improvement on land was made and ending when the damage to the improvement occurred; > > > ***retention licence*** means a licence in force under [Part 3](#HP3@EN) ; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 44 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:21 Nov 2017\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-11-21/act-2017-044#GS4@Hpe@EN) ***reporting guidelines*** means guidelines issued under [section 204A](#GS204A@EN) for the preparation of mineral tenement reports and returns by licensees or lessees; > > > ***security deposit*** means a cash deposit or any other form of security the Minister determines to – > > > > > > (a) cover any damage to private property; or > > > > > > > (b) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 44 of 2017, s. 4, Applied:21 Nov 2017\]*](/view/html/inforce/2017-11-21/act-2017-044#GS4@Hpf@EN) cover failure to meet work program or licence commitments; or > > > > > > > (c) provide funds to mitigate any damage to the environment during mining operations or exploration; > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hpk@EN) ***sell*** includes – > > > > > > (a) offer or agree to sell; and > > > > > > > (b) keep or have in possession for sale; and > > > > > > > (c) dispose of; and > > > > > > > (d) barter or exchange; and > > > > > > > (e) transfer; and > > > > > > > (f) expose for sale; and > > > > > > > (g) send, deliver or receive for sale; and > > > > > > > (h) cause or permit to be sold; > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpzg@EN) > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 4, Applied:28 Jun 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-06-28/act-2013-024#GS4@Hpzg@EN) ***special exploration licence*** means a licence in force under [Part 2A](#HP2A@EN) ; > > > ***speleothem*** means a formation formed within a cave which is – > > > > > > (a) a mineral; or > > > > > > > (b) a precipitate; or > > > > > > > (c) an accumulation of non-precipitate material; > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 50 of 2013, Sched. 1, Applied:11 Dec 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-12-11/act-2013-050#JS1@Ja19@GC1@Hpb@EN) > > > [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 50 of 2013, Sched. 1, Applied:11 Dec 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-12-11/act-2013-050#JS1@Ja19@GC1@Hpb@EN) ***State forest*** means permanent timber production zone land within the meaning of the [Forest Management Act 2013](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2013-049) ; > > > ***stone*** means – > > > > > > (a) sandstone, freestone and other building stone; and > > > > > > > (b) basalt, dolerite, granite, slate, limestone and rock of a kind ordinarily used for building or construction purposes; and > > > > > > > (c) quartz, other than quartz crystals; and > > > > > > > (d) slate and gravel; and > > > > > > > (e) pipeclay and clay, other than fireclay, bentonite or kaolin; and > > > > > > > (f) sand and soil; and > > > > > > > (fa) [*\[Section 3 Amended by No. 74 of 2001, s. 4, Applied:30 Oct 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-10-30/act-2001-074#GS4@Hpl@EN) limestone and dolomite used for agricultural purposes; and > > > > > > > (g) other similar materials; > > > ***stratum of land*** means a specific part of land of any shape below or on the surface of land; > > > ***work program*** means an approved program of work.