DMP publishes new Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia
| Date: | Friday, 24 June 2016 |
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Western Australia’s resources industry is set to benefit from improved clarity and a reduction in unnecessary regulation as a result of new guidelines published by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP).
The new Guideline for Mining Proposals in Western Australia aims to establish a risk and outcome-based regulatory framework for environmental assessment and management of mining activities throughout the State.
The document outlines DMP’s move towards to an ‘activity-based’ approval system which is expected to bring a number of significant benefits and mean that each mine site will only need to have one approved Mining Proposal.
Furthermore the new guidelines will prevent unnecessary minor amendments from having to be formally assessed by DMP officers and allow for greater approvals flexibility as well as promoting innovation and best practice.
DMP’s Executive Director Environment Dr Phil Gorey said the guidelines were designed to deliver an outcome-based assessment and approval process.
“These new guidelines form an essential part of DMP’s ongoing Reforming Environmental Regulation (RER) initiative which aims to provide a framework for risk and outcome-based decision making,” Dr Gorey said.
“The new Mining Proposal Guidelines will ensure that the department’s regulatory effort is both targeted and proportionate in order to protect environmental values in an effective, efficient and timely manner.
“The new guidelines were drafted following extensive consultation and feedback from stakeholders and have been widely supported by industry.”
