An exploration licence does not permit the explorer to mine for minerals, nor does it guarantee that a mining licence will be granted over the licence area. For exploration to be undertaken on a licence, the explorer is required to comply with more than 20 laws which are designed to protect the environment, Indigenous heritage, non-Indigenous heritage, water, land, Native Title, flora and fauna, biodiversity, water catchment and communities.

If a viable resource is identified, the average time between exploration and mining commencement is between 8 and 15 years. This is due to the need for detailed geological studies to identify an economic mineral resource followed by thorough environmental and engineering studies and stringent approval processes.