The Western Australian Government has announced a differential fee model for lodging mineral title objections before WA’s mining wardens, set to take effect from September 16.
The Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) conducted a consultation on a proposed fee of $859.
The government decided on a fee model after consideration from responses from various stakeholders, a twelve week process with submissions from more than 300 people.
The fee has been introduced following an increase in objections to mineral title applications brought to the mining wardens during the past three years, which has warranted a second Perth mining warden.
The WA Government said a general fee of $430 will support the partial cost recovery to fund the second warden and additional administrative staff.
WA Minister for Mines and Petroleum David Michael said the government will continue to support the important principle that any person can object a mining tenure application in Western Australia.
“Importantly, a single objection before the Wardens Court signed by multiple people carries the same weight as multiple objections lodged individually,” he said.
“A differential fee model on a partial cost-recovery basis strikes a balance between industry and community concerns and the efficient operation of the Wardens Court.”
Lodging an objection before the mining wardens has traditionally been free, and there isn’t any other fee free tribunals or courts in WA.
The fee will apply to any person objecting against applications for mining tenure, application for exemption from expenditure, applications for restoration of tenement or land subject for an application for a mining tenant.
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