The department is encouraging stakeholders to provide feedback on a potash and salt minerals in brine (MB) discussion paper before the end of the week.
| Date: | Wednesday, 16 September 2020 |
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The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) is seeking public comment on a discussion paper with recommended changes to emerging potash and salt minerals in brine (MIB) operations in Western Australia under the Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) legislative and regulatory framework.
The paper, which has been available for comment on the department’s website since July, outlines the Department’s recent review of the MRF disturbance categories and summarises suggested amendments to the unit rates for MIB operations.
DMIRS Executive Director Resource and Environmental Compliance Karen Caple said the harvesting of potash, and other minerals derived from brine such as salt, is an emerging mining industry and one comprising unique characteristics that couldn’t have been anticipated when the department established the MRF framework.
“The aim of the proposed changes is to ensure rehabilitation liability estimates and subsequent MRF levy contributions by MIB operators are calculated equitably in comparison to other more conventional mining operations,” Ms Caple said.
DMIRS is encouraging industry and community to email feedback on the proposed adjustments before the consultation period closes on Friday 18 September 2020 at 5:00pm.
Any changes are not anticipated to come into effect until 1 July 2021.
For more information on the Mining Rehabilitation Fund unit rates please consult the Mining Rehabilitation Fund Regulations 2013.
