The Western Australian Government has unveiled a discussion paper which aims to simplify the approval processes for the state’s mining sector.
The Mining Development and Closure Proposals (MDCP) would help further streamline regulation, reduce administrative burden and create efficiencies around managing compliance.
The document will also increase efficiency of applications for mining operations and assessment by removing the duplicate information required under the current process.
An approvals statement will go alongside the MDCP, which would further reduce duplication by combining approved activities and conditions of a mining operation into one document.
The 12-week public consultation on the paper follows the introduction of the Mining Amendment Bill 2021, which first passed the Legislative Council in September 2022, with amendments added a month later.
Relevant stakeholders are being encouraged to provide feedback on the paper since the responses would inform the framework’s development, as well as the drafting of potential amendments to the Mining Regulations 1981.
Minister for Mines and Petroleum Bill Johnston said the Western Australian Government remains committed to ensuring best-practice regulatory frameworks are in place that facilitate responsible resources development.
“We very clearly recognise that an efficient and effective regulatory framework is essential for providing industry with the certainty required to make investment decisions,” Johnston said.
“While we are working hard to streamline the regulation of WA’s mining sector, at no point will we compromise on environmental and social standards.”
Consultation on the MDCP is now open to the public and will close August 1 at 5pm.