❓ The question concerns delays in mining application approvals. The answer details the timeline of the Spinifex Ridge project, highlighting environmental and Indigenous heritage considerations, and mentions a Ministerial Taskforce and Industry Working Group established to streamline approvals.
AnsweredQoN 54Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(2) What specific steps will the Premier take to ensure that these delays are reduced and the time-line for the consideration of this and similar mining applications is streamlined?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
3 December 2008
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
22 days
(1)
On 9 October 2006, the Environmental Protection Authority set the level of assessment for the Spinifex Ridge Molybdenum open cut mining project as a Public Environmental Review.
This proposed project was complex, and numerous studies were conducted to address and resolve key environmental issues.
On 30 January 2008, Moly Mines Limited lodged its Mining Proposal for the Spinifex Ridge Molybdenum open cut mining project with the Department of Industry and Resources for approval under the
Mining Act 1978
.
The Department of Industry and Resources was not able to approve the Mining Proposal until the Minister for the Environment had issued the final environmental conditions of approval for the Spinifex Ridge Molybdenum open cut mining project.
On 5 August 2008, the Minister for the Environment issued the final environmental conditions for the Spinifex Ridge Molybdenum open cut mining project, based on the Environmental Protection Authority's Public Environmental Review recommendations.
During the period since January 2008, Aboriginal sites were identified within the Mining Proposal areas, which resulted in Moly Mines Limited amending its Mining Proposal.
On 18 August 2008, Moly Mines Limited lodged with the Department of Industry and Resources an amended Mining Proposal to account for the Aboriginal sites within the proposed mining area.
On 4 September 2008, the Department of Industry and Resources approved the amended Mining Proposal. This approval enables Moly Mines Limited to proceed with that part of its original Mining Proposal not affected by the Aboriginal sites.
On 26 November 2008, the Department of Industry and Resources received advice from Moly Mines Limited that the Minister for Indigenous Affairs had granted conditional approval for use of the area affected by the Aboriginal sites. This conditional approval was granted under Section 18(3) of the
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972
.
The Department of Industry and Resources will now discuss with Moly Mines Limited the progression of the Mining Proposal.
(2)
The Government has established a Ministerial Taskforce to review and streamline the tardy approvals process across government left in place by the previous government.
On 14 November 2008, the Minister for Mines and Petroleum announced the establishment of an Industry Working Group to advise on ways to streamline the State's process for exploration and development approvals. The Industry Working Group first met on 21 November 2008.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
On 9 October 2006, the Environmental Protection Authority set the level of assessment for the Spinifex Ridge Molybdenum open cut mining project as a Public Environmental Review.
This proposed project was complex, and numerous studies were conducted to address and resolve key environmental issues.
On 30 January 2008, Moly Mines Limited lodged its Mining Proposal for the Spinifex Ridge Molybdenum open cut mining project with the Department of Industry and Resources for approval under the
Mining Act 1978
.
The Department of Industry and Resources was not able to approve the Mining Proposal until the Minister for the Environment had issued the final environmental conditions of approval for the Spinifex Ridge Molybdenum open cut mining project.
On 5 August 2008, the Minister for the Environment issued the final environmental conditions for the Spinifex Ridge Molybdenum open cut mining project, based on the Environmental Protection Authority's Public Environmental Review recommendations.
During the period since January 2008, Aboriginal sites were identified within the Mining Proposal areas, which resulted in Moly Mines Limited amending its Mining Proposal.
On 18 August 2008, Moly Mines Limited lodged with the Department of Industry and Resources an amended Mining Proposal to account for the Aboriginal sites within the proposed mining area.
On 4 September 2008, the Department of Industry and Resources approved the amended Mining Proposal. This approval enables Moly Mines Limited to proceed with that part of its original Mining Proposal not affected by the Aboriginal sites.
On 26 November 2008, the Department of Industry and Resources received advice from Moly Mines Limited that the Minister for Indigenous Affairs had granted conditional approval for use of the area affected by the Aboriginal sites. This conditional approval was granted under Section 18(3) of the
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972
.
The Department of Industry and Resources will now discuss with Moly Mines Limited the progression of the Mining Proposal.
(2)
The Government has established a Ministerial Taskforce to review and streamline the tardy approvals process across government left in place by the previous government.
On 14 November 2008, the Minister for Mines and Petroleum announced the establishment of an Industry Working Group to advise on ways to streamline the State's process for exploration and development approvals. The Industry Working Group first met on 21 November 2008.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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