❓ Mr. Michael asks about the impact of COVID-19 on WA's mining sector and government support. The Minister highlights record exploration activity due to government initiatives and efficient approvals.
AnsweredQoN 703Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
MINING AND RESOURCES SECTOR
703. Mr D.R. MICHAEL to the Minister for Mines and
Petroleum:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's efforts in keeping Western Australia's resources
sector operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been vital in
supporting local jobs.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on the current level of mining activity underway and
what it means for both the state and national economy?
(2) Can the
minister outline to the house what the state government is doing to further
support the industry as WA recovers from the impacts of COVID-19?
MINING AND RESOURCES SECTOR
703. Mr D.R. MICHAEL to the Minister for Mines and
Petroleum:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's efforts in keeping Western Australia's resources
sector operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been vital in
supporting local jobs.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on the current level of mining activity underway and
what it means for both the state and national economy?
(2) Can the
minister outline to the house what the state government is doing to further
support the industry as WA recovers from the impacts of COVID-19?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the
question. I know that he is very dedicated to the interests of his community
and nothing is more important to the interests of his community than the
success of Western Australia's resources sector.
(1)–(2) It
is absolutely fabulous to tell members that we had a record month in August for
applications for programs of work. These applications are made particularly in
the exploration sector, to ensure that people are out there looking for those next
big projects. Six months ago when the COVID pandemic hit, we were afraid that
the exploration sector would dry up in this state. We took action to support
the sector to reduce its costs. But I am very pleased to say that actually the
reverse has happened. We now have the highest level of exploration activity in
the history of the state. That is a great vote of confidence in the government of Western Australia, the regulatory framework and
the leadership that comes from the Premier in this state . Not only do we
have the highest number of applications, but we are approving them within a new
approval target of 15 business days. In
August, 99 per cent of applications in were approved within 15 business days . That is a remarkable achievement by the
hardworking public servants at the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. I want to congratulate all those workers who are putting
in that extra effort to make sure that we see this great outcome for this
state.
I will finish by saying that 70 per
cent of these applications are for gold projects. We have seen some
extraordinary finds of gold over the last 12 months all because of the
government's exploration incentive scheme, which is allowing people to
identify the targets that they then go out and drill. People know about our
co-funded drilling program, but they do not realise that the real value in the
EIS is the precompetitive data acquisition. We continue to work hard to make
sure all that data is available. It is amazing to think that within 80 kilometres of where we stand now is a global-scale nickel
find. That was found using the state government's
precompetitive data. That shows what can be done when we have strong leadership
from the Premier that allows Western Australia to have, behind our hard
border, a very open economy that allows investment like we have never seen
before into the resource sector.
question. I know that he is very dedicated to the interests of his community
and nothing is more important to the interests of his community than the
success of Western Australia's resources sector.
(1)–(2) It
is absolutely fabulous to tell members that we had a record month in August for
applications for programs of work. These applications are made particularly in
the exploration sector, to ensure that people are out there looking for those next
big projects. Six months ago when the COVID pandemic hit, we were afraid that
the exploration sector would dry up in this state. We took action to support
the sector to reduce its costs. But I am very pleased to say that actually the
reverse has happened. We now have the highest level of exploration activity in
the history of the state. That is a great vote of confidence in the government of Western Australia, the regulatory framework and
the leadership that comes from the Premier in this state . Not only do we
have the highest number of applications, but we are approving them within a new
approval target of 15 business days. In
August, 99 per cent of applications in were approved within 15 business days . That is a remarkable achievement by the
hardworking public servants at the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. I want to congratulate all those workers who are putting
in that extra effort to make sure that we see this great outcome for this
state.
I will finish by saying that 70 per
cent of these applications are for gold projects. We have seen some
extraordinary finds of gold over the last 12 months all because of the
government's exploration incentive scheme, which is allowing people to
identify the targets that they then go out and drill. People know about our
co-funded drilling program, but they do not realise that the real value in the
EIS is the precompetitive data acquisition. We continue to work hard to make
sure all that data is available. It is amazing to think that within 80 kilometres of where we stand now is a global-scale nickel
find. That was found using the state government's
precompetitive data. That shows what can be done when we have strong leadership
from the Premier that allows Western Australia to have, behind our hard
border, a very open economy that allows investment like we have never seen
before into the resource sector.
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