MRF Post Implementation Review complete

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) has received a letter of compliance from the Department of Treasury’s Better Regulation Unit (BRU) for its Post Implementation Review (PIR) of the Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) Regulations 2013.

The PIR focused on whether the objectives of the Mining Rehabilitation Fund Act 2012 (MRF Act) were being achieved and explored if the MRF remains an appropriate, effective and efficient method of ensuring that funds are available for mine site rehabilitation, even if the responsible tenement holder(s) cannot be identified or pursued.

DMIRS’ Resource and Environmental Compliance (REC) Acting Executive Director Karen Caple said a wide range of stakeholders were consulted for the review including tenement holders, tenement service agencies, industry peak bodes, legal advisors, environmental consultants, non-government agencies and the Mining Rehabilitation Advisory Panel (MRAP).

“The PIR report concluded that there is strong stakeholder support for the MRF despite the program being in its infancy and that the fund is performing well against its stated objectives,” Ms Caple said.

The PIR report also identified a number of areas for potential improvement including:

• review the contribution rate;
• consider the number of Rehabilitation Liability Estimate (RLE) categories;
• review the reporting requirements for mining tenure with multiple holders; and
• review mine-site rehabilitation completion criteria under the Mining Act 1978.

“The department is committed to working with its stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of the fund’s administration. The statutory review, which is scheduled to take place in 2022, is an opportune time to consider any changes to the funding model, such as the contribution rates and RLE categories” Ms Caple said.

The PIR Report and BRU’s letter of compliance can be found here.

For any further information about the MRF please visit the DMIRS website.