The Queensland Government is proposing legislative changes to mining claims that will result in the end of hand mining for sapphires on the Central Queensland Sapphire Gemfields and therefore the demise of the Gemfields community. We are calling on the Queensland Government Department of Resources to:

a. Remove from the proposed legislation the limitation of renewals for any mining claim staked after the bill is passed, or any existing mining claim transferred (sold) after the bill is passed. (Tenure Capping)

b. Delete from the proposed legislation the obligation to remove from existing mining claims any structures, being homes or sheds, before allowing the claim to be sold. (Transferred)

The proposed changes to implement a 15 year tenure cap ignore the fact that many hand mining claims can be sustainably mined for decades. If a claim is revoked and rehabilitated after 15 years there is no guarantee that any future hand mining will be allowed to occur on that site. Without tenure capping a mining claim could be transferred to another person to continue mining, using pre-existing infrastructure, until the deposits are exhausted.

Under the proposal current mining claim holders are entitled to keep their structures (homes) for as long as they hold the claim. However, if they wish to transfer that claim to any person other than their spouse they must first remove any buildings. Structures have been built on claims, then sold and transferred, for many years with acknowledgement by the Department of Resources in the form of bond increases that reflect the dimensions of the building. These assets should not now be destroyed because of proposed changes to legislation. Existing buildings should remain protected through transfer until the mining claims they occupy are due for surrender. Then the structure must be removed and the site rehabilitated.

Government consultation closes on 8th December 2023. If these changes are passed through Legislation the Gemfields community, with so many residents living on mining claims and contributing to our local economy, will no longer thrive or be the tourist destination that it is today.

Sign this petition to change “Legislative Enhancements to Mining Claims”

• Remove Tenure Capping

• Remove the requirement to destroy structures on transfer of Mining Claims