PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian government has released a discussion paper that seeks to simplify the approval processes for Western Australia's mining sector.
The proposed Mining Development and Closure Proposals (MDCP) and Approvals Statements framework will further streamline regulation, reduce administrative burden and create efficiencies around managing compliance.
The MDCP will be a single document that increases the efficiency of applications for mining operations and the assessment of these operations by removing the duplicate information required under the current process.
The introduction of an Approvals Statement will further reduce duplication by combining approved activities and conditions of a mining operation in one document.
“The government remains committed to ensuring best-practice regulatory frameworks are in place that facilitate responsible resources development,” said Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston.
“We very clearly recognise that an efficient and effective regulatory framework is essential for providing industry with the certainty required to make investment decisions.
“While we are working hard to streamline the regulation of Western Australia's mining sector, at no point will we compromise on environmental and social standards.”
The 12-week public consultation follows the introduction of the Mining Amendment Bill 2021, which passed the Legislative Council in September 2022.
Stakeholders have been encouraged to provide feedback as these responses will inform the framework's development and the drafting of potential amendments to the Mining Regulations 1981.