This condition has been discussed at PMAT meetings, and I am aware that PMAT has sent correspondence to the Director of Mines specifically addressing this issue. However, it still remains in the official rules of prospecting licences as of September 2017.
Continue readingThere is currently a review of prospecting regulations in Tasmania. Current prospecting rules have long-been in need of an overhaul. Find out some of the problems as I see them, and if you like, contribute with possible solutions.
Continue readingSecond to sapphires, topaz is the most common and widespread gemstone found in Tasmania. It has a very strong association with Devonian granites in northern and western Tasmania, but can be found in other rock types. Flinders Island, the Blue Tier area and the Gladstone area are the most important occurrences, but topaz is also known from plenty of other localities, such as Bicheno, Coles Bay, the Stanley River, Moina and Mount Bischoff.
Continue readingGold was known in the northwest of Tasmania since at least James (Philosopher) Smith’s discovery in the Forth Valley near the modern-day Lake Cethana dam. None of the workings were on a large scale. It wasn’t until Harry Middleton’s discovery in Corinna in 1879 that the gold rush to the Pieman kicked off. It would eventually lead to the largest gold nugget ever found in Tasmania. Much of the area is still accessible to gold fossickers today.
Continue readingTasmania has an undeserved reputation as a nugget-poor location. In fact many nuggets over one ounce in size have been found historically in our goldfields.
Continue reading“A prospecting licence does not grant any right to a mineral, as an exploration licence or mining lease does, and the holder of a prospecting licence does not have ownership over a mineral found whilst prospecting”. Director of Mines, 14 August 2015.
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