What minerals can be mined under the Mineral Resources Development Act 1995?

Mineable minerals are divided into six categories under the Mineral Resources Development Act 1995. These are:

• Category 1: metallic minerals and atomic substances;
• Category 2: coal, peat, lignite, oil shale and coal seam gas;
• Category 3: rock, stone, gravel, sand and clay used in construction, bricks and ceramics;
• Category 4: petroleum products except oil shale; (please note that coal seam gas in not included under category 4)
• Category 5: industrial minerals, precious stones, semi-precious stones;
• Category 6: any geothermal substance.