❓ A parliamentary question raises concerns about increased regulatory burden on small miners and prospectors in WA, despite departmental recognition of their responsible environmental practices. The Minister refutes the premise, highlighting a risk-based regulatory framework and tailored products for low-impact operations.
AnsweredQoN 472Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to an email, which I understand maybe dated on or about 30 April 2014, from Dan Machin, Acting Director, Operations Environment, in response to a email from Mr Russell Waldon titled "Subject: POW- P Applications" copied to Daniel Endacott and Ian Mitchell, and I ask:
(a) is it correct the above referred to email in part states "DMP’s Environmental division also recognises that the majority of prospectors are responsible environmental operators. In fact it is well known within the division that many prospectors undertake successful rehabilitation of legacy areas as they prospect previously disturbed lands";
(b) if yes to (a), can the Minister explain why the environmental division keeps on continually targeting and making it harder for small miners/prospectors with increased delays to approvals increased paperwork, increasing duplication and complexity in many documents required to be lodged with the environmental division, creating barriers to entry, extra unnecessary costs, ultimately destroying jobs in the Western Australian economy and importantly the discovery of the new mines of tomorrow which the State relies upon for jobs, and royalty income;
(c) can the Minister explain why the resources of the department with the environmental division are so focussed on making it harder with complexity, increased duplication, increased paperwork for small miners and prospectors when the department have recognised a very long time ago that the majority are responsible environmental operators, carrying out successful/ responsible rehabilitation practices which overall are enhancing the environment; and
(d) if no to (c) why not?
(a) is it correct the above referred to email in part states "DMP’s Environmental division also recognises that the majority of prospectors are responsible environmental operators. In fact it is well known within the division that many prospectors undertake successful rehabilitation of legacy areas as they prospect previously disturbed lands";
(b) if yes to (a), can the Minister explain why the environmental division keeps on continually targeting and making it harder for small miners/prospectors with increased delays to approvals increased paperwork, increasing duplication and complexity in many documents required to be lodged with the environmental division, creating barriers to entry, extra unnecessary costs, ultimately destroying jobs in the Western Australian economy and importantly the discovery of the new mines of tomorrow which the State relies upon for jobs, and royalty income;
(c) can the Minister explain why the resources of the department with the environmental division are so focussed on making it harder with complexity, increased duplication, increased paperwork for small miners and prospectors when the department have recognised a very long time ago that the majority are responsible environmental operators, carrying out successful/ responsible rehabilitation practices which overall are enhancing the environment; and
(d) if no to (c) why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
5 December 2017
Responded by
Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
9 days
(b) I do not agree with the premise of this question. The public sector operates without fear or favour and its regulatory regime reflects the community’s expectations by providing reasonable assurance that resource development is undertaken responsibly and provides a fair return to the community from those who choose to exploit this public resource. (c) I do not agree with the premise of this question. The Department has implemented a risk based regulatory framework that ensures its regulatory effort is targeted and proportionate. In this context the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety provides tailored regulatory products for prospectors and low impact mining operations, in the form of Programme of Works prospecting and Mining Proposal and Closure Plan for Low Impact Mining Operations applications for environmental approval. Progression of the lapsed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill in the coming period will also provide further support to small mining operators through more streamlined assessment mechanisms for low impact operation approvals. (d) Not applicable
(c) I do not agree with the premise of this question. The Department has implemented a risk based regulatory framework that ensures its regulatory effort is targeted and proportionate. In this context the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety provides tailored regulatory products for prospectors and low impact mining operations, in the form of Programme of Works prospecting and Mining Proposal and Closure Plan for Low Impact Mining Operations applications for environmental approval. Progression of the lapsed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill in the coming period will also provide further support to small mining operators through more streamlined assessment mechanisms for low impact operation approvals. (d) Not applicable
In this context the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety provides tailored regulatory products for prospectors and low impact mining operations, in the form of Programme of Works prospecting and Mining Proposal and Closure Plan for Low Impact Mining Operations applications for environmental approval. Progression of the lapsed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill in the coming period will also provide further support to small mining operators through more streamlined assessment mechanisms for low impact operation approvals. (d) Not applicable
Progression of the lapsed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill in the coming period will also provide further support to small mining operators through more streamlined assessment mechanisms for low impact operation approvals. (d) Not applicable
(d) Not applicable
(c) I do not agree with the premise of this question. The Department has implemented a risk based regulatory framework that ensures its regulatory effort is targeted and proportionate. In this context the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety provides tailored regulatory products for prospectors and low impact mining operations, in the form of Programme of Works prospecting and Mining Proposal and Closure Plan for Low Impact Mining Operations applications for environmental approval. Progression of the lapsed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill in the coming period will also provide further support to small mining operators through more streamlined assessment mechanisms for low impact operation approvals. (d) Not applicable
In this context the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety provides tailored regulatory products for prospectors and low impact mining operations, in the form of Programme of Works prospecting and Mining Proposal and Closure Plan for Low Impact Mining Operations applications for environmental approval. Progression of the lapsed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill in the coming period will also provide further support to small mining operators through more streamlined assessment mechanisms for low impact operation approvals. (d) Not applicable
Progression of the lapsed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill in the coming period will also provide further support to small mining operators through more streamlined assessment mechanisms for low impact operation approvals. (d) Not applicable
(d) Not applicable
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