5.0 Tenure Coverage
Queensland’s resource development is driven by exploration activity, with exploration tenure coverage serving as a lead indicator of future industry growth.
TABLE 5.1 Total Granted Tenure
Total number of granted permits at 30 June 2025
Total area of granted permits at 30 June 2025 (sq km)
Permits granted in 2024-25
PERMIT TYPE
EXPLORATION PERMIT MINERAL EXPLORATION PERMIT COAL
231
2,173
276,558 48,308 69,983
1 4
334 103
AUTHORITY TO PROSPECT (PETROLEUM)
As of September 2025, 910 distinct authorised holders manage exploration permits across Queensland. However, several share the same parent organisation and is therefore not a reflection on the number of active exploration companies, which is estimated to be much smaller.
Coal areas
FIGURE 4: EXPLORATION PERMIT COAL (EPC) COVERAGE, JUNE 2025 Weipa
Exploration Permit Coal Status (1 2 months to 30 June 2025) Granted Status (30 June 2025) Application Granted
FIGURE 3: EXPLORATION PERMIT COAL (EPC) COVERAGE, JUNE 2025 Queensland is known for its exceptional quality metallurgical coal, a vital resource for constructing a renewable energy future. In 2024-25, there was one new coal exploration permit 20km north-west and south-west of Rolleston (82 sq km) granted in Queensland. There were 334 granted EPCs at the end of June 2025, held by more than 160 unique authorised holders (of which several may share the same parent company).
±
0
100 200
Kilometres
Cai rns
Karumba
Townsville
Mount Isa
Mackay
Gl adstone
Bri sbane
40
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online