NSW Forests fossicking access and EL's

Hi,

Can anyone tell me, if you have a fossicking permit from NSW Forests and a forest has an EL over it, do you still need permission from the mining company?
I've checked all the regulations I can find on the Internet but it's not clear to me.

Thanks,
Dave

As far as i was aware, if the area you are fossicking in is a designated fossicking area like braidwood, hill end and i think Nundle then you may fossick on EL's without permission. Anywhereelse you must get the EL's permission first

Thanks Shivan,

Yes, that was my understanding as well, I wish the details were a bit clearer. The term 'designated fossicking area' could be misconstrued, as one might think all forests become designated areas if you have a permit from NSW Forests.

I decided to contact the mining company anyway and an initial phone conversation today was encouraging. I have followed up with an email to them so they can formally grant permission in writing.
Their only concerns were the type of mineral I was fossicking for (obviously gold) and the actual area within the forest where I would be, so they could check that I wouldn't impede on any operations they are undertaking.

I'll let the forum know what the outcome is, it might help other members in the future.

Dave

What about say sunny corner would or do you need to get permission to fossick there?

Unless it is a designated fossicking area you have to get permission.

There is a EL over most areas here in Coffs Harbour, I just phoned the EL holder and told them what I was doing (panning/detecting) and they said no worries. I made a note of the conversation date time and brief points of what was said.