The Western Australian government has ushered in a suite of mining approvals reforms aimed at modernising the state’s regulatory framework, with three major initiatives rolled out on September 11.
The changes implement key provisions of the Mining Amendment Act 2022, which took effect last week, and are designed to simplify processes, improve efficiency and reduce duplication.
At the centre of the reforms is the Eligible Mining Activity (EMA) framework, which was successfully trialled and will now be applied more broadly by the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE).
The framework streamlines approvals for low-risk projects, freeing up departmental resources for higher-risk or more complex applications.
Two additional initiatives were introduced as part of the rollout.
The Mining Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) replaces the existing Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan with a single document developed at the project approval stage.
By scaling requirements to the risk and size of a project, the MDCP is expected to deliver more efficient, fit-for-purpose assessments.
A new Approvals Statement framework has also been launched.
Acting as a single source of information for all approved mining activities across tenements, Approvals Statements will set out approval conditions, closure outcomes for each operation, and the scheduled review date for Mine Closure Plans.
Closure planning will continue as an ongoing requirement throughout the life of a mine.
The reforms are underpinned by the second release of Resources Online, a digital platform that enables proponents to submit, track and manage EMA notices and MDCPs in a consolidated format.
Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael said the initiatives were an important step in ensuring approvals processes kept pace with industry needs while maintaining community and environmental standards.
“The Cook government is focused on maintaining strong, modern regulations that support responsible growth and give industry the certainty it needs to invest with confidence,” he said.
Michael said the new measures form part of a wider strategy to cut red tape and speed up approvals while upholding environmental standards.
He added that the government was committed to making approvals more efficient without disregarding community expectations or the rights of Traditional Owners.
According to Michael, the reforms were developed in close consultation with industry groups, whose backing highlights a shared focus on best practice regulation and sustainable growth.
