The Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) will be reformed as the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration as part of a departmental overhaul being rolled out by the recently returned Western Australian Government.
Premier Roger Cook has announced the reform for nine out of a total 25 departments, as part of broad changes.
Staff and teams will be assigned to the appropriate departments by 1 July 2025, with full implementation expected to be finalised by 1 January 2026.
As part of the changes, the current Resource and Environmental Regulation Group will become the standalone Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration.
AMEC’s Chief Executive Officer Warren Pearce welcomes the decision by the Western Australian Government to return the department back to its focus on the resources sector, shedding the broader responsibilities of commerce and industry regulation.
“The decision to add exploration to the title for the first time, is also critical recognition of the West Australian exploration and junior minerals sector that is so important to the discovery of future minerals and the development of new mining projects,” says Pearce.
“It also recognises the work done by the WA Geological Survey that undertakes important exploration programs on behalf of the state.”
Another reform for all sectors engaged in land access includes Aboriginal Affairs policy being consolidated within the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC), recognising the importance of this to social outcomes, as well as major project development across the state.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: WA Government
