Western Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum Norman Moore has joined a number of industry representatives calling for improvements to the State’s the mine planning processes.
“The current Liberal-National Government of Western Australia fully recognises the need to improve the existing approvals process and to boost confidence and certainty in the resource sector,” Moore said.
Moore’s comments come after a recent Australian Centre for Minerals Extension and Research (ACMER) conference in Perth attended by mining industry representatives as well as members of the Department of Industry and Resource (DoIR) and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
EPA chairman Paul Vogel came away from the conference with similar ideas to Moore, and said that adjustments to the process were needed.
“I think it’s true to say that there does need to be change,” Vogel told MINING DAILY.
“There needs to be streamlined assessment and approvals processes that don’t compromise environmental standards.”
The WA Government plans to conduct its own examinations into the best ways to improve the process.
“The State Government is currently conducting its own inquiries into the approvals process for mining and petroleum in Western Australia,” Moore said.
“This is particularly important in the current economic climate.”
According to Vogel, the EPA welcomes initiatives from the State Government and will endeavour to work with them.
“The Environmental Protection Authority needs to be aligned, connected and integrated with what’s happening across the new government’s policy objectives in relation to approvals,” he said.