Queensland government lifts new small-scale mining claim ban, proposes new, short-term leases

For more than 30 years, Murray Ungerer has hand-mined sapphires on a small patch of land he is confident he can sustainably mine for another 30. Key points: A 12-month ban on new small-scale mining claims will lift on November 24 A Queensland government discussion document includes proposals like limiting the length of time a claim can be held The Rubyvale Progress Association says any changes must focus on keeping communities sustainable But the Queensland government could put a stop to that under a new proposal to cap small-scale mining tenures at 15 years to crack down on people building permanent structures on claims. "I have no drama with coming down on people who are just using mining claims to live on and not actually mining them, because that's what we're here for, to mine sapphires." Weeding out 'cowboys' on claims Queensland's resources minister Scott Stewart said under the proposed changes, five-year renewals would still allow genuine miners to renew mining claims, but would provide better scope for compliance than 10-year claims. The discussion paper said across Queensland, there were 1,893 mining claims as of July 2022, located across the Central Highlands, Winton, Paroo and Quilpie.