Notifying appointment of exploration manager

For updated information relating to certificates of competency see Statutory positions

On 31 March 2022, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws replaced the health and safety elements of the Mines Safety and Inspection laws. For information visit www.demirs.wa.gov.au/whs

Transitional arrangements may be in place for the compliance requirements on this page.

All health and safety notifications, forms and guidance for mining and petroleum has moved to the WorkSafe website

Background

Who is the exploration manager?

The exploration manager is responsible for the overall control and supervision of the principal employer or tenement holder’s exploration operations.

If exploration activities are taking place on any mining tenement in the vicinity of an operating mine, the registered manager may take control of the exploration operations.

An exploration manager is not required if the exploration operations are being carried out by a syndicate or other association of persons such that there are no employees.

Qualification of an exploration manager

There is no statutory qualification prescribed for exploration managers. However, they need to be trained and assessed as competent to carry out the work.

As a minimum, the exploration manager should be conversant with the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and accompanying regulations, the risk management approach and hazards relevant to the exploration activities and sites, and have management and leadership skills.

Daily management of operations

For each field exploration operation, the principal employer must appoint a person who is responsible for the daily site management of activities at that operation. This position may be filled by the exploration manager if that person is on site managing the field exploration activities.

Who is responsible for the notification?

The senior inspector for the region must be informed by either the principal employer or registered manager (if authorised to do so by the principal employer). When the notification is lodged through the departments Safety Regulation System (SRS), the senior inspector will be automatically notified.

Refer to ss. 46A, 47(2)(a) and 47(2)(b) of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994.

A copy of the signed letter of appointment must be kept in the mine record book.

Lodging the notification

Notification of appointments must be submitted online using the Notifications sub-system in the Safety Regulation System (SRS)

The principal employer or registered manager can notify the department of a statutory appointment, or a person acting on their behalf.

A Company Administrator (CA) or a Company Representative can enter information into SRS. The CA can assign the role of Company Representative to any person required to notify appointments.

The completed and signed appointment letter needs to be attached to the notification of appointment in SRS.

Related information

Below are the related documents that are available to download.

Key positions of responsibilities for exploration not under control of a Registered Manager - information sheet - 487 Kb

This information sheet outlines the key positions of responsibilities for exploration not under control of a Registered Manager and whether further action is needed.

Frequently asked questions on appointments on Western Australian mines - information sheet - 350 Kb

This information sheet outlines the frequently asked questions on appointments on Western Australian mines.

Frequently asked questions on management and supervision at mining operations - information sheet - 277 Kb

This information sheet outlines the frequently asked questions on management and supervision at mining operations.

Contact

For enquiries please contact an inspector of mines
Phone: 1300 307 877
Email: Safety@dmirs.wa.gov.au