WorkSafe

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s (DMIRS) latest approvals performance report shows the department met all of its key approval processes within target timelines.

Notable fourth quarter results included the department finalising 96 per cent of mineral exploration licence applications within the 65 business day target, up from 86 per cent in the first quarter. The time taken to finalise the exploration licences averaged 37 business days, down from 47.9 business days in the first quarter.

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) will cut its assessment timeframes in half for exploration Programme of Work (PoW) applications from July 1, 2020.

The new timeframe means DMIRS will reduce its target for PoW applications for exploration activities from 30 to 15 business days.

DMIRS Director General David Smith said the new timeframes supported the State Government’s commitment to improve regulatory efficiency through its Diversify WA Economic Development Framework, and supports the Streamline WA initiative.

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s annual release of mineral exploration reports will commence at the beginning of May.

Under Regulation 96(4) of the Mining Regulations 1981, also known as the Sunset Clause, mineral exploration reports that were submitted under Section 115A of the Mining Act 1978 and held by the department for five years may be released to the public.

• WA mineral exploration activity on the rise
• DMIRS continues to assess PoW applications within halved timeframe

Mineral exploration activity in Western Australia is on the rise after the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety recorded a five-year high in the number of Programme of Work (PoW) applications.

The department’s figures for July and August showed a record 63 per cent increase on the monthly average (195) for applications and processing in the last five years.

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) has called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for potential sand extraction from within the Myalup juvenile pine plantation between Mandurah and Bunbury.

DMIRS’ Resources Tenure Acting Executive Director Tony Bullen said the proposed sand pits will only go ahead if suitable applicants are identified through the EOI process.

As a result of recent amendments to the Mining Regulations 1981, parties appearing before the Warden in the early stages of Part IV Proceedings can be represented by either a lawyer or an agent without seeking special leave.

Part IV Proceedings relate to applications or objections under Part IV of the Mining Act 1978, including applications for mining tenements, forfeiture, exemption from expenditure conditions and restoration.

The Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) intends to reprioritise its 2020–21 work program because of the impact of current travel and operational restrictions. By using GSWA’s extensive, pre-competitive geoscience datasets and outstanding rock and paleontology collection, the organisation will aid economic recovery and stimulate the exploration industry. GSWA will deliver new interpretive datasets across all areas of geoscience, in key regions of the State where work is currently underway. This will accelerate understanding of the region's geology and mineral prospectivity.

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) is seeking public comment on a discussion paper with recommended changes to emerging potash and salt minerals in brine (MIB) operations in Western Australia under the Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) legislative and regulatory framework.

After more than 150 years of mining, Western Australia has thousands of abandoned mine features scattered throughout the State.

The Department of Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) is reminding visitors and locals to ‘Stay Out, Stay Safe and Report’ any abandoned mine features they come across while exploring Western Australia.

Abandoned mine features are the result of historic mining and exploration activities, and include everything from deep shafts to waste landforms, open pits and abandoned equipment.