❓ Hon Robin Scott questions the Minister for Mines and Petroleum regarding the Department's policy on granting extensions to programs of work for prospecting licences, arguing that short extensions inhibit exploration. The Minister clarifies that extensions cannot be granted after expiry and that approvals are typically for the full duration of the licence.
AnsweredQoN 1050Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PROSPECTING LICENCES — PROGRAM OF WORK
EXTENSION
1050. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the minister representing the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to the email from Andre
Marais from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety dated 1 August
2018 to Mr Cranston Edwards.
(1) Can the
minister explain how prospectors or miners can possibly carry out work on
mining tenements for the full duration of the life of the tenement, given that
the department is adopting a position of granting extensions to programs of
work for only six to 12 months, which clearly prevents lawful exploration and
mining from being carried out?
(2) Can the
minister explain why the department is adopting policies and procedures that
create major problems and inhibit resource
development in granting extensions to programs of work for only six to 12 months,
rather than for the full duration of the tenement's life, so that
prospectors and miners can lawfully carry out exploration activities?
EXTENSION
1050. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the minister representing the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to the email from Andre
Marais from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety dated 1 August
2018 to Mr Cranston Edwards.
(1) Can the
minister explain how prospectors or miners can possibly carry out work on
mining tenements for the full duration of the life of the tenement, given that
the department is adopting a position of granting extensions to programs of
work for only six to 12 months, which clearly prevents lawful exploration and
mining from being carried out?
(2) Can the
minister explain why the department is adopting policies and procedures that
create major problems and inhibit resource
development in granting extensions to programs of work for only six to 12 months,
rather than for the full duration of the tenement's life, so that
prospectors and miners can lawfully carry out exploration activities?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the member for the question. The Minister for Mines and Petroleum has
provided the following information.
(1) The Mining
Act 1978 limits the term of a prospecting licence to a period of four years. A
program of work approval is for the full duration of a prospecting licence. Mr
Cranston Edwards applied for an extension to his program of work approval after
it had expired, so an extension could not be granted. Mr Edwards has since been
granted a new program of work approved for four years.
(2) Extensions
cannot be granted if the request is made after a program of work has expired.
The remaining life of a tenement, prospecting licence, and compliance history
are considered when determining a term of extension.
thank the member for the question. The Minister for Mines and Petroleum has
provided the following information.
(1) The Mining
Act 1978 limits the term of a prospecting licence to a period of four years. A
program of work approval is for the full duration of a prospecting licence. Mr
Cranston Edwards applied for an extension to his program of work approval after
it had expired, so an extension could not be granted. Mr Edwards has since been
granted a new program of work approved for four years.
(2) Extensions
cannot be granted if the request is made after a program of work has expired.
The remaining life of a tenement, prospecting licence, and compliance history
are considered when determining a term of extension.
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