A trial to assess a new authorisation process for low impact mining activities in Western Australia began yesterday (3 February).
The Western Australian Government aims to streamline the approval of eligible mining activities that pose a low risk to the environment and do not occur in sensitive areas. This will ensure the activities remain subject to a robust regulatory framework.
Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael says the government is committed to ensuring best-practice regulatory frameworks are in place to facilitate responsible resource development.
“I firmly believe these regulatory reforms for low-impact mining activities will boost mineral exploration across the state without impacting Western Australia’s robust environmental protections,” Michael says.
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC), alongside other industry stakeholders, called for this change nearly two decades ago.
The association says low impact notification will lead to no material difference in the industry’s impact on the environment.
“Shifting departmental resources from low-risk activities to higher risk activities will ensure Western Australia maintains its high standards for environmental regulation,” AMEC says.
Once the trial is over, tenement holders will be able to get an automatic authorisation to conduct eligible mining activities after they lodge a mandatory eligible mining activity (EMA) notice. These notices will be subject to a standard set of prescribed requirements.
The state government says the EMA framework trial is seen as a way for it to evaluate a change to its environmental assessment regime in the mining sector.
AMEC Acting Chief Executive Neil van Drunen says the trial will remove a large amount of work so that the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety can focus on decisions that deliver greater impact.
“This is a common sense approach, a long time in the making, that will streamline the approvals process,” van Drunen says.
“If Western Australia is serious about a risk based approach, low impact notification provides the right lever.”
Van Drunen notes the trial promises clarity and certainty for proponents to invest in new mineral exploration projects.
“This is a paper killing regulation. It will save everyone time and money, so explorers can get on with the job of what they do best, finding future mines,” he says.
Mining.com.au is an associate member of AMEC.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: AMEC
