❓ Hon Neil Thomson raises concerns about increased red tape for small mining operations due to changes in the mining proposal template. The Minister acknowledges concerns and ongoing consultation, citing the need to align with the Mining Amendment Act 2022.
AnsweredQoN 1421Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MINING
— SMALL OPERATIONS TEMPLATE
1421. H on NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum :
I refer to reports from mining
companies that the template for mining proposals for small mining operations is
being amended.
(1) Is the
minister aware of the concerns held by miners that these changes will
significantly increase the amount of red tape required to continue production?
(2) What is the
reasoning for implementing these changes?
(3) What
consultation has occurred with the businesses that will be affected by these
changes, and can the minister please provide a list?
(4) Why are
operations involving uranium, mineral sands and rare earth elements excluded?
— SMALL OPERATIONS TEMPLATE
1421. H on NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum :
I refer to reports from mining
companies that the template for mining proposals for small mining operations is
being amended.
(1) Is the
minister aware of the concerns held by miners that these changes will
significantly increase the amount of red tape required to continue production?
(2) What is the
reasoning for implementing these changes?
(3) What
consultation has occurred with the businesses that will be affected by these
changes, and can the minister please provide a list?
(4) Why are
operations involving uranium, mineral sands and rare earth elements excluded?
AnswerView source ↗
I do not seem to have an answer to
(4) and I cannot tell whether that has been answered earlier. I will give the
honourable member this answer, but if something is missing, I ask him to take
it up with me behind the chair and I will follow it up.
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The minister is aware of concerns raised by small
mining operators regarding changes to the small mining operations
template and has met with industry representatives on these matters in recent
months. The minister also understands that the Department of Energy, Mines,
Industry Regulation and Safety—DEMIRS—has been engaging with
small mining operators since May 2024. Consultation on creating a bespoke small
mining operations form is ongoing.
(2) These changes
are required to ensure that small mining operation applications submitted to
DEMIRS meet the requirements of the uncommenced provisions introduced by the
Mining Amendment Act 2022. These changes will not take effect until those
provisions commence in 2025.
(3) (a) DEMIRS
has consulted extensively with stakeholders on these proposed changes.
Consultation undertaken to date includes feedback sought on a revised template
as part of the department's consultation period during May 2024.
I think there is something missing
from this answer. If someone is watching and there is a second part to it, I ask
them to bring it in before the end of question time and I will give it to the
member.
(4) and I cannot tell whether that has been answered earlier. I will give the
honourable member this answer, but if something is missing, I ask him to take
it up with me behind the chair and I will follow it up.
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The minister is aware of concerns raised by small
mining operators regarding changes to the small mining operations
template and has met with industry representatives on these matters in recent
months. The minister also understands that the Department of Energy, Mines,
Industry Regulation and Safety—DEMIRS—has been engaging with
small mining operators since May 2024. Consultation on creating a bespoke small
mining operations form is ongoing.
(2) These changes
are required to ensure that small mining operation applications submitted to
DEMIRS meet the requirements of the uncommenced provisions introduced by the
Mining Amendment Act 2022. These changes will not take effect until those
provisions commence in 2025.
(3) (a) DEMIRS
has consulted extensively with stakeholders on these proposed changes.
Consultation undertaken to date includes feedback sought on a revised template
as part of the department's consultation period during May 2024.
I think there is something missing
from this answer. If someone is watching and there is a second part to it, I ask
them to bring it in before the end of question time and I will give it to the
member.
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