Investigation and Enforcement

The primary responsibility  of the Investigation and Enforcement Branch is to respond to all allegations of offences commited under the Mining Act 1978 and Regulations. This legislation can be downloaded from the State Law Publisher website.

The Branch also provides investigative support to the department in relation to environmental issues, breaches of tenement conditions and in the investigation of offences commited against other legislation administered by the department.

The vast majority of reports received by the branch relate to allegations of unlawful mining activity. 

This includes activities such as (but not limited to):

• Mining outside approved tenements; 
• Prospecting on tenements without approval; and 
• Prospecting on crown land without a Miner’s Right.

Note: all of the above constitute unlawful mining in accordance with Section 155 of the Mining Act 1978 and attract a penalty of up to $100,000 and a further $10,000 for each day the offence continues.

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For the Investigation and Enforcement Branch to be able to respond effectively to complaints it is essential that certain key information is provided and that reports are made promptly (within a few hours or days of the incident occuring or being detected).

Key information:

• Precise location of the activity (specific GPS coordinates are preferred but if you are unable to obtain these then a sufficiently detailed description of the location to enable investigative staff to locate it)
• Photographs of the activity (note that video content may not be playable dependent on the format)
• Time and date the activity occurred or if the precise detail is not known then a time and date range in which the activity occurred
• Details of any vehicles sighted including vehicle number plates
• Details of any persons sighted or spoken to at the time of the incident and their names and contact details if known
• Specific tenement numbers if the activity is on a tenement
• Your name and contact details (to enable the investigative staff to contact you to clarify any details relating  to the complaint)

Note: Your name and details will not be released and will remain confidential at all times.  However where charges are preferred it may be necessary for you to give evidence in court if you have witnessed the activity actually taking place.

All this information can be emailed to us at ieb@dmp.wa.gov.au

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