PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (Amec) on Thursday lamented calls from the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association that more regulation was required in the territory.

The association has been vocal in its calls for a system of mandatory access agreements, which it believed could prevent conflict with pastoralists. The agreements would set boundaries on matters such as water and road use, before mining companies were allowed to start work on pastoral properties.

“The Northern Territory is regarded as a jurisdiction that encourages companies willing to take a chance, to build new industries and provide for future Territorians. This is why mining, exploration and primary industries have invested in the territory,” Amec CEO Simon Bennison said.

“Suggestions from the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association that more regulation on explorers is required is unhelpful and will simply drive exploration to other states.”

Bennison pointed out that most exploration in Australia was undertaken by small companies, and not the major mining companies.

“Increasing the regulatory burden on small explorers will erode the territory’s current regulatory advantages and restrict future investment in industry. Without these companies exploring in the territory, the mines of tomorrow will not be discovered and the associated jobs and royalties will not be created.

“Amec is advocating for co-existence between landowners and explorers, not the prescriptive and restrictive path that other states have taken. No landowner, land manager or explorer wants more legal obstruction or unnecessary delays. They simply want to get on with running their businesses.

“Amec calls on the Northern Territory government to maintain the current land access arrangements with landowners, adding that minerals under pastoral leases were territory assets that should be passing on economic benefit for all Territorians through royalties.

“Amec recommends a minor change to ensure that land managers are notified of any prospective exploration activity. Explorers should make every effort to keep the land manager informed so they can work together to find solutions,” said Bennison.