DG enews May 2016 edition

Director General's foreword

As we progress well into the new year, it is time again for another edition of the DG's eNews.

Last month Western Australia was announced as the world's most attractive mining investment destination in the Fraser Institute's 2015 Survey of Mining Companies.

The State also finished in the top ten across a number of other categories and the latest results represent our best performance in the internationally respected survey.

I believe the department's program of reforms were central to ensuring Western Australia's place as a world-leading mining jurisdiction.

This accomplishment follows on from DMP's best-ever quarter for mineral titles approvals during the final quarter of 2015.

The department has been working steadily since 2010 to improve its approvals performance, and the latest figures demonstrate that we have continued to improve and have been able to reduce the red tape associated with the approvals process.

Our lead agency role in the approvals process for the 292km extension of the Eastern Goldfields pipeline was also recognised at the recent commissioning of the $140 million extension.

The new website for DMP has also assisted in the reduction in red tape and its clean design and ease of navigation means faster results that help to showcase Western Australia's world-leading mining and petroleum sector.

In other stories the first 3D geology digital models created by the department's Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) are now available, along with a suite of ground-breaking software tools to improve the utilisation of geoscience datasets.

In January we published our Abandoned Mines Policy which provides a robust framework for managing and rehabilitating Western Australia's abandoned mine sites.

Last month we officially launched the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for 2016 - 2018, which has been endorsed by the department's Corporate Executive and Reconciliation Australia. The two-year plan outlines the department's short, medium and long term initiatives to achieve its reconciliation goals.

Through discussions and collaboration, our RAP has been developed with achievable initiatives that work towards our key reconciliation objectives which include providing employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

The DG's eNews is a valuable tool for anyone interested in the future of the Western Australian mining and petroleum industry and provides updates on the latest activities of the department, so please recommend it to your industry colleagues.

Richard Sellers

Director General

Department of Mines and Petroleum

WA ranked top global jurisdiction for mining investment

Western Australia was announced as the world's most attractive mining investment destination in the Fraser Institute's 2015 Survey of Mining Companies in March.

Department of Mines and Petroleum Director General Richard Sellers said Western Australia also finished in the top ten across a number of other categories.

“As well as being the number one ranked jurisdiction for mining investment, WA also ranked first in the Best Practices Mineral Potential Index,” Mr Sellers said.

“Our geological database was ranked third and we ranked eighth on the Policy Perception Index.

“This was the State’s best performance in the internationally respected survey.”

Mr Sellers said the department’s program of reforms were central to ensuring Western Australia’s place as a world-leading mining jurisdiction.

“It is also indicative of the world-class quality of WA’s geoscience information and the role it plays in encouraging investment in mining exploration,” Mr Sellers said.

In announcing the survey results, then Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion also praised Western Australia’s performance.

"There is never a bad time to be the world's best, but it is particularly important at this stage in the resources cycle," Mr Marmion said.

"This is a win-win situation for responsible development and all West Australians.  Investor confidence means projects are more likely to get the financial go-ahead, which means more jobs to build Western Australian communities.

"What really hits home are quotes from industry, praising the streamlining of landmark mining projects that are now supporting major employment."

One respondent is quoted as saying mines have gone from discovery to production faster than anywhere in the world.  Another cited a three-year start-up period, praising the support of the State Government and local communities.

"We are processing approvals in record times, while driving new discoveries through our $130 million Exploration Incentive Scheme, WA's significant investment in research and technology, and the creation of Australia's biggest core library," the Minister said.

"The benefits of our world-leading Mining Rehabilitation Fund are also flowing through, cutting costs and encouraging rehabilitation, after returning $1.1 billion to the industry from the old bond system."

Mr Marmion said while red tape reduction and innovation had boosted resources industry confidence, it had not compromised safety or environmental standards.

DG promotes WA at major Asian investment conference

There's never been a better time to invest in Western Australia.

That’s the message Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) Director General Richard Sellers delivered last month to Asia’s biggest mining investment conference and exhibition in Hong Kong.

Mr Sellers led a DMP team to Mines and Money Asia 2016 that included Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) Executive Director Dr Rick Rogerson and Mineral Promotion Manager Gaomai Trench.

The Director General said that Western Australia’s recent stellar ranking in the Fraser Institute's 2015 Survey of Mining Companies as the world’s most attractive mining investment destination was a great help in promoting the State. 

Mr Sellers, who presented a keynote address, told the audience that gold and nickel deposits in Western Australia had been proved up, gained permits and begun producing within four years of discovery.

“Where else in the world can you do this,” he told the international audience.

Mr Sellers said that although times were currently tough in the resources sector, the global stock market downturn presented investment opportunities because sellers were keen, labour was cheaper and costs were being cut.

The Director General said that there were currently more than 120 significant mining and exploration projects in WA with Chinese investment.

“China is already investing in Western Australia’s uranium exploration sector and four uranium deposits are at the pre-feasibility or feasibility stage,” he said.

The DMP team’s itinerary included a tour of China General Nuclear Power Group’s Dayawan Nuclear Power Station in Guangdong Province, meetings with senior executives of CITIC Australia, GOGC Petroleum (China) Ltd, the China Minsheng Bank, and a visit to Sinosteel Corporation in Hong Kong.

DMP sets new record for mineral titles approvals

DMP Director General Richard Sellers has applauded the department’s achievement of its best-ever quarter for mineral titles approvals during the final quarter of 2015.

“The department has been working steadily since 2010 to improve its approvals performance, and the latest figures demonstrate that we have continued to improve and have been able to reduce the red tape associated with the approvals process,” Mr Sellers said.

He said DMP has been striving to cut time-consuming paperwork to zero by performing all of its operations online.

During the final quarter of 2015 DMP had approved 91 per cent of Mining Lease applications within 65 business days, 92 per cent of Mining Proposal applications within 30 business days, and 100 per cent of Petroleum Environment Plans within 30 calendar days.

“I am pleased this has surpassed our department’s commitment of finalising more than 80 per cent of applications within those target timelines,” Mr Sellers said.

Fact file:

• DMP received a total of 5629 mineral title, exploration and mining activity applications during 2015, of which 97 per cent were finalised within the timeline target of 65 business days.

• The department finalised 2459 Programme of Work and Mining Proposals during this period, with 95 per cent finalised within the timeline target of 30 business days. 

• 100 per cent of Petroleum Exploration Permit applications were finalised within the target timeline of 120 business days.

• Of the 374 petroleum environment plans and oil spill contingency plans submitted, 97 per cent were finalised within 30 calendar days.

• The department also finalised 100 per cent of resource safety Project Management Plan approvals and 85 per cent of Radiation Management Plans within the 30 business day timeframes.

Department praised for lead agency role in approvals

The lead agency role of the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) in the approvals process for the 292km extension of the Eastern Goldfields pipeline has been recognised at the recent commissioning of the $140 million extension.

DMP Director General Richard Sellers said the pipeline was a great example of how lead agency work by the department coupled with industry collaboration could drive down costs and deliver infrastructure ahead of schedule.  It was completed in less than 12 months.

Speaking at the ceremonial event at Tropicana Gold Mine, APA Managing Director Mick McCormack acknowledged the integral roles played by AngloGold Ashanti and DMP in the development of the pipeline.

“I would like to pay tribute to the focus and commitment of all parties involved in bringing the project from concept to reality,” Mr McCormack said.

“As an engineering project the Eastern Goldfields Pipeline is a great success story that exceeded all production and safety targets, an achievement we take pride in,” Mr McCormack said.

“It is also a shining example of what can be done when industry partners, a progressive government and supportive local authorities and communities collaborate so effectively.”

The pipeline extends from the current Murrin Murrin/Yarraloola terminus to AngloGold Ashanti’s Sunrise Dam Gold Mine and on to the Tropicana Gold Mine.

The infrastructure will allow Tropicana to source gas from Karratha in the State’s Pilbara region, more than 1800km away.

Fact File

• WA's Department of Mines and Petroleum played the lead agency role in the approvals process
• The 292km Eastern Goldfields pipeline developed by the APA Group comprises 16,500, 18m lengths of pipe
• Primary gas customers will be the Tropicana and Sunrise Dam Gold Mine operations, run by AngloGold Ashanti
• The new pipeline will extend the Goldfields gas system to almost 1,800km
• Potential for future gas supply to uranium and rare earth projects
• Natural gas to replace diesel and LNG currently transported by road
• $140 million project completed ahead of schedule

Awards for Excellence and Community Partnership

Save the date... The Department of Mines and Petroleum’s (DMP) inaugural Awards for Excellence night is set to be a night to remember.

The event will see DMP’s Community Partnership Resources Sector Award and the Golden Gecko Awards for Environmental Excellence come together to create a prestigious new celebratory ceremony.

DMP’s Director General Richard Sellers said he was confident the new event, on Thursday October 27, would be a huge success.

“I have no doubt that the department’s first ever Awards for Excellence night is going to be a fantastic event which will allow us to showcase and celebrate Western Australia as a world leading resources destination,” Mr Sellers said.

“The Golden Gecko is already known for recognising leading practice and innovation towards the responsible development of the State’s resources.

“With the award now in its twenty-fifth year, the department’s new Awards for Excellence night will be the perfect backdrop to this exciting milestone.”

Mr Sellers said the introduction of the department’s new Community Partnership Award was another exciting addition to the celebrations.

“For the first time, DMP will recognise the examples of outstanding leadership that have helped to build strong community partnerships and created positive, lasting and meaningful outcomes across Western Australia.

“By providing the perfect platform for these innovative and meaningful partnerships to be celebrated, the new Awards for Excellence night will also help to promote strong guiding behaviour within the resources sector.”

On the night, the achievements of the finalists for both awards will be publicly highlighted before Minister for Mines and Petroleum Sean L’Estrange announces the respective winners their accolades.

Over the past few weeks, DMP staff have been visiting a number of regional locations across the State to hold information sessions about the new award.

The meetings have allowed DMP staff to engage directly with community groups and stakeholders, and answer any questions they might have.

For more information visit the Golden Gecko Awards and Community Partnership Awards webpages.

Sharing Western Australia’s mining knowledge

Department of Mines and Petroleum Deputy Director General Tim Griffin and Tenure and Native Title General Manager Tony Bullen recently travelled to Africa to share their mining knowledge with government officials in Ethiopia and Kenya.

The trip was organised and supported by the Australian Embassy in Ethiopia and the Australian High Commission in Kenya. It also contributed to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) signed by the Western Australian State Government.

Dr Griffin and Mr Bullen took part in a series of capacity-building workshops in Addis Ababa and Nairobi.

“It was an opportunity to give representatives of the Kenyan and Ethiopian government an understanding of the principles that have helped establish a viable and sustainable mining sector in Western Australia,” Dr Griffin said.

“Importantly, it allowed us to discuss ways they could make that happen within their own jurisdictions.”
Dr Griffin said two areas that they focussed on were exploration and collaboration.

“The government agencies that are responsible for resources sector development are widely spread and appear not to collaborate in any meaningful way,” Dr Griffin said.

“This is why we emphasised the importance of building relationships and sharing information across government agencies and across the different forms of government - from central government to county or provincial government.

“We were able to give some good examples of collaboration in Western Australia - such as the recent multi-agency framework governing the development of the State’s shale and tight gas resources.”

However, ultimately, Dr Griffin said, it was exploration that would underpin the success of resources development in COMESA countries.

“You cannot have a successful mining industry unless you find ore bodies,” Dr Griffin said.

“We emphasised the fact that exploration is high risk and you need external investment for that. It is also important for countries to look at opportunities to expand their geological database.”

Mr Bullen said access to land was a critical issue, as was an understanding of the impact of exploration on the land.

“Exploration doesn’t have a huge impact on the land,” Mr Bullen said.

“While the size of an area that’s explored can be quite large, the actual ground disturbance is minimal.

“It is important this is understood, so local communities can feel at ease with exploration activity co-existing with other local industries such as agriculture.”

Dr Griffin said by holding the workshops in Addis Ababa and Nairobi they were able to focus on individual countries and provide specific information.

“During the workshops we focussed on best practice principles, how they are applied in Western Australia, and how they might be able to adopt those principles (in Kenya and Ethiopia),” Dr Griffin said.

“Another focus was on offering certainty to industry - that you can’t keep changing the goal posts.

“Mining can be high risk - so without offering certainty, industry may not be willing to take that risk.”
The economic impact of the industry was also discussed at the workshops.

“It isn’t royalties where governments and the community derive the greatest benefits from the industry,” Dr Griffin said.

“The value comes from the economic activity that industry creates through employment, services and other downstream activities.”

Landmark digital State map launched at GSWA Open Day

The launch of the first digital map of Western Australia was the highlight of the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) Open Day in February this year.

The 1:150,000 scale interpreted bedrock geology map was the subject of great interest and marked the culmination of 15 years of work.

The map is the first to be entirely digitally compiled rather than assembled by hand using pre-existing maps and then digitised.

Annual or bi-annual updates will ensure that the State map is always current, eliminating the long delays in the release of new data in the past.

Round 13 of the State Government's Co-funded Drilling Program to help miners make new discoveries was also launched at the open day.

The audience heard of the many successes of the flagship drilling program of the Exploration I ncentive Scheme (EIS) that has been operated by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) since 2009.

The $130 million invested in the EIS up to June next year has been responsible for dozens of discoveries, including significant gold finds last year.

The launch of the new State map was accompanied by the release of the Explanatory Notes System (ENS) search tool on GSWA's state-of-the-art geoscientific web application, GeoVIEW.WA.

ENS is a digital repository that integrates the digital map layers with links to all geological units and events recognised in Western Australia.

ENS will build into an online virtual book, providing a scale-less and seamless continuously updated summary of the geology of Western Australia.

The open day also marked the release of the drilling reports and the wireline logging data from the South West Hub Carbon Capture and Storage project.

DMP has drilled three wells in the Harvey-Waroona area between December 2014 and June 2015 to produce data on the potential carbon dioxide reservoir within the Lesueur Sandstone.

The first 3D geology digital models created by GSWA - the Windimurra and Sandstone regions in the northern Yilgarn craton - were also presented at the open day, as well as the results from GSWA's ongoing pre-competitive geoscience program.

The latest hard copy and digital map products included high-quality 1:100,000 and 1:250,000 geological series maps that are updated each year from across the State.

GSWA showed off its updated seamless digital Geological Information Series products for the Capricorn, East Yilgarn, South Yilgarn, Murchison, Musgrave, Tanami and Kimberley regions.

New business systems were also demonstrated, including the latest updates for GeoVIEW.WA, GSWA's award-winning, state-of-the-art geoscientific web application.

First 3D geology digital models released

The first 3D geology digital models created by the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) are now available to the exploration industry and the public.

The two Geomodels built by the 3D Geoscience Section of GSWA are of the Windimurra and Sandstone regions in the northern Yilgarn craton.

Windimurra, near Mt Magnet, was the first of a number of large igneous bodies within the craton to be modelled in 3D.

The Windimurra model predicts where rocks prospective for chrome, vanadium and platinum group elements may go deep beneath the earth’s surface.

The Sandstone model, which covers an area with significant gold deposits, explores the deep faults in the northern Yilgarn Craton.

The two regions GSWA has modelled have known deposits of vanadium, and gold, and the models will enhance future exploration potential for more gold, platinum group elements, nickel, and copper.

Senior 3D Geophysicist Dr Ruth Murdie said that a major benefit of 3D modelling was that it was able to pick out big structures that guided mineral explorers in targeting areas for exploration.

“The whole point is to look for big structures,” she said. “These models are designed to think big, as we’re looking at whole mineral systems, from the lower crustal levels, along possible fluid pathways to potential target areas”

The 3D Geomodels also include the full 2D digital data suite of GSWA’s standard digital map packages.

“Applying the same techniques to many other similar rock assemblages could vastly increase exploration success for commodities such as nickel and copper,” GSWA Executive Director Dr Rick Rogerson said.

“Such 3D models of the structure on the Earth’s crust can reveal the architecture of a whole mineral system, from the ancient fault zones tapping into the mantle, to mineralised rocks near the surface.”

A 3D model that spans several mineral fields in the northern Yilgarn Craton is due to be released next financial year.

The Geomodels can be viewed with the free software provided, Geoscience Analyst, but other widely-used file formats are also available.

DMP launches Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2018

Last month the Department of Mines and Petroleum officially launched its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for 2016 - 2018.

The plan has been endorsed by the department's Corporate Executive and Reconciliation Australia.

DMP Director General Richard Sellers said the two-year plan outlined the department's short, medium and long term initiatives to achieve its reconciliation goals.

"Our RAP for the next two years is the result of reviewing and reflecting on our achievements, lessons learnt and experiences gained from our previous reconciliation plan," Mr Sellers said.

The review also involved discussions with RAP committee members, participants in the department's Aboriginal Employment Strategy, Corporate Executive members and other key internal and external stakeholders.

"Through discussions and collaboration, our RAP has been developed with achievable initiatives that work towards our key reconciliation objectives which include providing employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians," Mr Sellers said.

Since the first RAP in 2011 the department has employed 20 staff through its Aboriginal Employment Strategy.

More than 700 staff have also attended cultural awareness training and the department had large turn outs for celebrations for Reconciliation and NAIDOC Week.

"The launch of our latest plan is aligned to the RAP objective of respect and works towards having a workforce with an understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures to establish a solid foundation for ongoing reconciliation," Mr Sellers said.

The RAP committee meets once a quarter to discuss new initiatives and track the implementation of the department's RAP.

The 2016-2018 RAP launch commenced with a very warm and inspiring Welcome to Country by Barry McGuire, a presentation of the RAP by Committee Chair Simon Ridge, Aboriginal dancers and a didgeridoo performance by Guildford Grammar students.

The launch also coincided with the naming of the conference rooms and the international room at 1 Adelaide Terrace which have been given Noongar names to show respect to the traditional owners of the land.

The names were verified by Elders, universities and the South West Aboriginal Land Council, with Wandju the Noongar word for welcome, Koorling Danjoo meaning coming together and Karrtdijin meaning sharing of knowledge, thinking, learning and understanding.

The RAP will be published on both the intranet and DMP website and RAP banners and publications will be sent to regional offices as part of the celebrations.

To view the 2016-2018 RAP please go to our website.

Partnership creates tools for dataset interpretation

A suite of ground-breaking new software tools has resulted from more than two years of close collaboration between the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) and the University of WA’s Centre for Exploration Targeting (CET).

The Integrated Exploration Platform (IEP) has been designed to improve the use of GSWA geoscience datasets and support explorers operating in Western Australia.

The IEP includes innovative tools to interactively visualise multiple datasets in 2D and 3D with the aim of improving explorers’ ability for data interrogation.

It also provides tools to minimise uncertainty in interpretation by using computational data analysis algorithms and interactive visualisation.

The IEP will be available free to anyone using it within Western Australian coordinates.

The IEP project was funded by DMP, through its Exploration Incentive Scheme, and the Australian Research Council.

GSWA’s 3D Geoscience Manager Dr Klaus Gessner, who helped develop the interpretation support tools, said GSWA and CET had agreed on free use of the IEP for Western Australian data.

Download the software or view videos of the IEP package in action.

Resourcing investigations critical to safety in the sector

Department of Mines and Petroleum Director General Richard Sellers has applauded the efforts of the Investigation Services and Legal Services branches, along with Resources Safety, for a marked increase in the number of completed investigations under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994.

Between 2011 and 2012 the department commenced 22 investigations and completed five. Between 2013 and 2015 the department commenced 67 investigations and completed 66.

“Since the establishment of a special Investigation Services branch within DMP in 2011, there has been a marked increase in the number of investigations completed by the department,” Mr Sellers said.

“I believe this is due to a stronger focus in a team environment and greater collaboration across DMP work areas.

“There is no doubt this is the result of the additional capacity that our investigation team now has and the department’s ability  to find the resources to fulfil community expectations regarding safety compliance.”

Mr Sellers said when a serious incident occurred, the timely completion of the investigation was critical for ensuring any court penalties were applied without delay, and that the contributing factors can be communicated to the industry more widely.

Between 2006 and 2010 there were a total of seven successful prosecutions. In the past five years there have been 21, with two successful prosecutions in the past five months.

“Any decision to prosecute comes from an independent analysis of the investigation report by DMP’s Investigations Services branch. Increased resourcing has seen a corresponding increase in successful prosecutions,” Mr Sellers said.

He said since the Investigations Services branch was established the department had formalised investigation policies, procedures and hierarchies that apply across the board.

“I applaud the efforts of the General Manager, Colin Boothroyd, and his team, along with the Legal Services branch and the Resources Safety Division,” the Director General said.

“Their collaborative approach to investigations has enhanced the department’s ability to uncover the root causes of specific incidents and provide critical safety information to industry to improve the overall performance of the resources sector.

“Our desire is that workers are not exposed to unsafe work environments. Until that is achieved, DMP will focus on ensuring investigations are completed in a timely manner, and when appropriate, prosecutions are initiated.”

Recent prosecutions

Telfer fatality - Exact Mining Services fined $130,000

In February 2016 Exact Mining Services was fined $130,000 in Perth Magistrates Court for failing to provide a safe working environment following an incident that killed a worker in late 2013.

The worker was killed when crushed by a section of polyethylene pipe at a tailings storage facility at the Telfer Gold Mine on 4 December 2013.

Exact pleaded guilty to charges under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 for failing to provide a safe working environment.

Full story

Cloudbreak fatality - BTP Equipment Pty Ltd fined $195,000

In December 2015 BTP Equipment Pty Ltd was fined $195,000 and ordered to pay $100,000 in costs for its involvement in the death of a worker on 24 December 2010.

The worker was fatally injured during maintenance work on a Caterpillar 793C haul truck in the mobile maintenance workshop at Fortescue Metal Group’s Cloudbreak iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

An investigation by the Department of Mines and Petroleum found that a strut had been removed from the truck by the night shift workers on 23 December 2010. The strut had not been depressurised as required by the original equipment manufacturers procedure, causing it to suddenly impact the worker.

Full story

New website reduces red tape and promotes WA

The new website for the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) offers users significant benefits.

Director General Richard Sellers said the website’s clean design and ease of navigation meant faster results that helped showcase Western Australia’s world-leading mining and petroleum sector.

"This is fundamental to promoting certainty, transparency and responsible development to local, national and international investors," Mr Sellers said.

While fostering future exploration and investment, the vast information database includes reports dating as far back as 1894 and access to WA's unique digital bedrock maps.

The new website is the culmination of three years' work, including extensive testing with a cross section of industry and community representatives.

"Their comments and ideas helped streamline the new site, and we have had more positive feedback since it went live," Mr Sellers said.

"This website is an important part of the Digital DMP project, which is already significantly reducing assessment times and aims to allow clients to conduct the bulk of their DMP business online by July 2016."

Policy to tackle problems of abandoned mines

Efforts to tackle the problems associated with the State’s abandoned mine sites have been given a boost with the publication of a pioneering new policy.

In January, the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) published its Abandoned Mines Policy - a robust framework for managing and rehabilitating Western Australia’s abandoned mine sites.

The policy, which was created following extensive consultation and feedback from interested parties, is one of the final milestones in DMP’s journey to introduce significant environmental reforms in relation to mine closures.

DMP’s acting Executive Director Environment Karen Caple said the new document would help to prioritise those sites which have the highest likelihood of having an environmental impact.

“It is important that there is a robust policy and project framework in place to support any decisions regarding the prioritisation, management and rehabilitation of the State’s abandoned mine sites,” Ms Capel said.

“The new policy will ensure decisions are undertaken in a strategic manner that balances the risks, costs, and benefit to the environment and the community, and the potential value of a site that could be realised.”

The introduction of the Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) provided the State Government with the means to rehabilitate abandoned mine sites once all other efforts to recover funds from the tenement holder have been exhausted.

The interest generated from the MRF funds can also be used to rehabilitate historical abandoned mine sites throughout Western Australia.

The new Abandoned Mines Policy ensures that these funds are allocated and prioritised on abandoned mines sites that will deliver the best outcomes for the community.

The former Black Diamond mine site, located approximately 5km west of Collie, was one of the first projects selected to benefit from rehabilitation.

A working group, made up of key stakeholders including members of regulatory bodies, interested groups and community members, has now been established to provide advice to DMP over the proposed works.

“The implementation of the MRF and the release of the Abandoned Mine Policy have provided a dedicated source of funding and a process to rehabilitate the State’s historical abandoned mines," Ms Capel said.

“Because of the ongoing community concern at Black Diamond, the site has been selected as a pilot site for the program, using funds from the Western Australian Government’s pioneering MRF initiative.

Since December, DMP has also carried out a range of activities in order to manage the Ellendale Diamond mine’s environmental and safety risks. Although this site was not a dedicated pilot site within the program, it emerged as a high priority for remediation.

These rehabilitation works are also designed to ensure that the site remains viable for responsible resource development in the future.

Most of ground works at the site are complete. The focus has now turned to managing access to the site, erecting appropriate signage and liaising with those who purchased equipment via the liquidation process.

The work undertaken to date has been supported by extensive consultation with stakeholders including local government, the police, pastoralists and other interested parties associated with the West Kimberly based site.

New members for Mining Rehabilitation Advisory Panel

The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) is set to benefit from the advice and expertise of five independent experts over the coming years.

The five-person Mining Rehabilitation Advisory Panel (MRAP) has been appointed to provide advice to DMP on the administration of the Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) and the scope and prioritisation of proposed projects for rehabilitation works.

The new panel members have been appointed for a period of three years.

DMP’s acting Executive Director Environment Karen Caple said the new panel members would bring with them a wealth of experience which would benefit the State Government’s efforts to manage abandoned mine sites.

“The outgoing MRAP members realised some fantastic achievements and I would like to thank them for their valuable contribution," Ms Capel said.

“I’m confident the new panel members will build on the good work already achieved and continue to help bring about positive changes for the State.”

They are:

• Michael Slight (Chairperson): A Mining Engineer with more than 35 years’ experience in all phases of mining from feasibility, construction and development, production and expansion to mine closures. Mr Slight was reappointed to the panel.

• Phil Scott (Deputy Chairperson): An experienced environmental professional with 27 years’ experience in corporate, resource and environmental management across a broad range of environmental, resource management, land access, planning and development areas. Mr Scott was reappointed to the panel.

• Sally Audeyev: A leading environmental lawyer with expertise in managing environment, government relations, tenure, planning and Indigenous aspects of project development, implementation and closure.

• Donald Burnside: A consultant with 40 years’ experience in investigation and management of agricultural and natural resource management issues at site, landscape and regional scale.

• Michelle Rhodes: An environmental consultancy company director with 21 years' experience in the environmental sector and involvement in high level negotiations with a number of different regulatory authorities.

Harvey well data released at Geological Survey Open Day

Research into the feasibility of permanently storing carbon dioxide in deep underground formations in the Harvey-Waroona area has been boosted with the release of new well data from the South West Hub Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project.

The data was released earlier this year at the annual Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) Open Day held in Fremantle.

The data includes drilling reports and wireline logs data collected from three stratigraphic wells drilled into three distinct fault blocks in Harvey between December 2014 and June 2015 as part of the CCS project.

The published data also consists of photographs of core retrieved from the wells and geological analysis reports.
The well drilling program, funded by the Australian Government and managed by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), successfully reached target depths of between 1350 metres and 1800m.

More than two kilometres of Harvey core is now stored at the Perth Core Library in Carlisle where it can be accessed.

Geological laboratories and South West Hub research partners at the National Geosequestration Laboratory, University of Western Australia and Curtin University, and CSIRO are continuing to work on the core samples and well data.

The South West Hub Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project is characterising geology in order to establish the feasibility of permanently storing CO2 in a deep underground formation in the Harvey-Waroona area.

Further analysis and 3D modelling of the underground formation will continue for another year before a decision can be made on drilling a further deep stratigraphic well.

A total of 24 gigabytes of information about the drilling program is available on the DMP website, in the WA Petroleum Information Management System (WAPIMS).

Further information on the South West Hub is on our website.