The Mining Act 1978 (WA) and regulations applies to the marking out and surveying of mining tenements in Western Australia. This page provides information and guidelines on this matter as well as instructions and advice for surveyors carrying out limited marking surveys.
The Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) have published a document that outlines the relevant Sections and Regulations of the Mining Act 1978 (WA) that apply to the marking out and surveying of mining tenements. It also provides directions and guidance for approved surveyors, including examples, to assist in conducting limited marking surveys under the Act.
For guidance on the Survey lodgement process and details on what actions approved surveyors must take to comply, please navigate to: Lodging survey documents and survey data through Mineral Titles Online (MTO).
If you are a licensed and accredited surveyor looking to become a DEMIRS approved Surveyor, please refer to the Applying for surveyor approval section below.
Geocentric Datum of Australia - GDA94 and proposed adoption of GDA 2020
The Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA94) is the mapping and coordinate system used in Australia. It is based on the Earth’s centre as its origin and integrates with global spatial data to provide accurate positioning.
Currently DEMIRS mapping systems portray data in GDA94 with a proposal to upgrade to GDA2020 in the latter half of 2025.
All DEMIRS Authorised Surveyors are required to lodge their surveys in GDA 2020 coordinates to accommodate integration within Landgate systems who have already migrated to GDA2020.
Digital datasets
A range of Statewide spatial datasets can be accessed from the Data and Software Centre. These datasets cover DEMIRS’ custodial data including Mining tenements surveyed and unsurveyed, live and pending.
Cadastral and topographic datasets must be obtained from Landgate.
Most spatial datasets available from the DEMIRS Data and Software Centre (DASC) can also be downloaded in GDA2020. DASC also has templates for Surveyors Field notes and Surveyors Report (Form 44).
List of approved surveyors
Surveyors approved to conduct official departmental mining tenement surveys.
The list of approved surveyors includes currently accredited surveyors who have applied for and been endorsed to conduct official departmental mining tenement surveys under the Contract Survey System.
This list is maintained in accordance with Section 162 Sub-Section (ka)(i) of the Mining Act 1978 (WA) and Regulation 117.
Applying for surveyor approval
Mining tenement surveys must be performed by approved surveyors. To be included in the list of approved surveyors for official mining tenement surveys, applicants must meet the following essential criteria and submit a written application.
How to Apply
Applications must be emailed to, including documentary proof of the following: surveyorapproval@demirs.wa.gov.au
- Surveyor Licensing: must be a Licensed Surveyor recognised by the Land Surveyors’ Licensing Board (LSLB) under the Licensed Surveyors Act 1909 (WA).
- Practising certificate: must hold a current Practising Certificate recognised by the LSLB. This requires attending enough industry seminars and workshops each year to maintain accreditation points.
- Insurance: must have current professional indemnity insurance (either personal or through an employer).
- Work experience: a brief resume outlining relevant experience in surveying, along with examples of recent cadastral survey work.
- Reference (desirable): preferably, a reference from a supervising surveyor currently on the list of approved surveyors.
Applying for Underground Mine Surveyor Approval
For approval as an underground mine surveyor, applications should be sent to WorkSafe.
Lodging survey documents and survey data
Lodgement of survey documents and survey data is only accepted through Mineral Titles Online (MTO).
A step-by-step help guide for lodgement of survey documents and data through Mineral Titles Online (MTO) has been published to assist with lodgement of survey documents and survey data through Mineral Titles Online (MTO).
Surveyors’ requirements for lodging survey documents and survey data
Approved surveyors conducting Survey of Leases must follow these requirements.
Survey data and software compliance
Ensure that survey data capture software (or that of any sub-contracting agent) is CSD file format compatible. DEMIRS integrates surveys into Landgate’s Spatial Cadastral Database (SCDB), enhancing Western Australia’s Survey Cadastre Network.
CSD Editor software
CSD Editor can be licensed from Landgate. For pricing and further details contact geodata@landgate.wa.gov.au. This software supports DGN, DXF, DWG, and SHP file formats. Surveyors can create CSD files in either GDA94 or GDA2020 datums. Landgate recommends uninstalling older GDA94-only versions before installing the updated version.
Note: DEMIRS requires that all surveyors submit CSD files in GDA2020 coordinates as DEMIRS integrates surveys within Landgates SCDB – GDA2020.
Digital data submission
Follow this link for instructions on converting survey data to CSD format for lodgement: APX-05 Digital Data Format Specification Version 2.0 | Landgate.
Register for Mineral Titles Online and get access to TENGRAPH Web.
Mineral Titles Online (MTO) allows for the lodgement of:
- DEMIRS Authorised Survey Field Notes as a PDF attachment
- FORM 44 Surveyor’s Report as a PDF attachment
- Cadastral Survey Data (CSD) file (GDA2020 coordinates) containing surveys within a survey project (CSD is a file format compatible with Landgate’s CSD Editor and SmartPlan).
Templates for DEMIRS Authorised Survey Field Notes and the FORM 44 Surveyor’s Report can be found in the DEMIRS Data and Software Centre. Navigate to the ‘Map Services and Resources’ tab, then to the ‘Surveying’ folder.
The Field Notes template should be printed on good-quality paper and stored in a heavy-duty protective folder for durability in the field.
Lodgement is available in Mineral Titles Online (MTO) under the Online Transactions - lodge supporting documents - Document / file in support of Survey - Document Type section.
