“Any amendments to the 46-year-old legislation that can simplify and clarify the requirements of the tenement application process is positive for all stakeholders”
CME Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Tomkinson
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) said today’s State Government commitment to commence drafting procedural amendments to the Mining Act 1978 would help alleviate uncertainty over mining tenure and associated issues.
CME Chief Executive, Rebecca Tomkinson, said the updates proposed by Mines and Petroleum Minister, Hon. David Michael, were a welcome acknowledgement of changes that needed to be made in light of the 2017 High Court decision on the Forrest and Forrest v Wilson case.
“Any amendments to the 46-year-old legislation that can simplify and clarify the requirements of the tenement application process is positive for all stakeholders,” Ms Tomkinson said.
“It also makes sense to review supporting guidelines to ensure they take into account contemporary technologies and the expectations of community, business and industry.
“CME has talked a lot about the importance of industry to be agile so it can respond to competitive global opportunities so procedural amendments such as this – that can speed up the legislative process and remove the opportunity for court challenges on administrative grounds – are good news for the resources sector.”
Ms Tomkison added that legal validation of mining tenure created certainty that resonated throughout the sector, from investment through to production and eventually manufacture.
“Understanding that clarity leads to certainty which leads to security, we look forward to providing our members’ input through the consultation phase.”
<ENDS> Media contact: Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com
