The department has developed new guidelines to assist stakeholders applying for expenditure exemptions
| Date: | Friday, 03 July 2020 |
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- Amendments to mining regulations will assist tenement holders applying for expenditure exemption
- New measures will reduce objection period from 35 days to 14 days
The McGowan Government has amended the Mining Regulations 1981 to support stakeholders impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the revised regulations, tenement holders can now apply for expenditure exemptions if they are able to demonstrate that COVID-19 has affected their ability to meet their expenditure conditions.
The temporary amendments reduce the amount of time allowed for an objection to be lodged, from 35 days to 14 days, and all exemption applications will now be published online.
Guidelines have been developed to assist stakeholders through the new interim process and to ensure applications remain of a high-quality.
Providing clear guidance should also minimise the requests for additional information from the applicant.
Additionally, on Wednesday July 1, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety cut its assessment timeframes in half for exploration Programme of Work applications.
The new timeframe target for applications has been reduced from 30 to 15 business days
For more information, visit the Exemption for Expenditure on the DMIRS website.
Comments attributed to Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston:
“Mineral exploration is fundamental to the ongoing success of Western Australia’s resources sector and we continue to work with industry to improve outcomes.
“The McGowan Government recognises that tenement holders continue to be impacted by COVID-19 and the new regulations will help the resources sector by reducing the objection timeframe while still providing procedural fairness for objectors.
“A review of these arrangements, which are not intended to be permanent, is planned for early 2021 and industry will be consulted as part of the process.”
