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Streamline WA, in collaboration with the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and the Department of Water and Environment Regulation, is progressing a high-level, end-to-end approvals process map as part of the Mining Environmental Approvals project.

The ChemCentre is seeking to collaborate with mining companies to build a more comprehensive database of the water quality in Western Australia’s (WA) mine pit lakes.

The Mine Pit Lakes – their Characterisation and Assessment for In-Situ Metal Recovery Opportunities and Cost-Effective Environmental Management study is a three-year project led by ChemCentre in collaboration with the CSIRO, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).

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.