PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Western Australian Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion has referred the Mining Legislation Amendment Bill to the Legislative Council for committee examination.

Marmion this week expressed confidence that the Bill would withstand close scrutiny, adding that he would consider the council’s recommendations.

“The Bill is designed to reduce red tape and is the product of four years of consultation with a broad range of stakeholders,” Marmion said.

Under the new legislation, many low-impact exploration and prospecting activities, which present minimal environmental risk or impact, would become eligible for immediate approval in nonenvironmentally sensitive areas.

This would be dependent upon the Minister’s decision on the final threshold for the low-impact notification process.

Separate native vegetation clearing permits would also no longer be required in addition to Mining Proposals or Programmes of Work, thus reducing duplication.

It was also intended that an environmental management system (EMS) would need to be in place for all mining operations, which most companies already have to meet their environmental liability obligations and community expectations. The detail of the EMS would be proportionate to the scale of the mining operation. The EMS obligation would not be applicable to exploration or prospecting tenements.

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (Amec), however, said that the referral of the Bill to a Parliamentary Committee was “completely unnecessary”. CEO Simon Bennison said that the industry body supported most aspects of the Bill in its current form.

“While it is not perfect, certain issues will be worked through as the regulations are drafted.”

Bennison noted that any further procrastination would simply delay the significant benefits that it would provide to the government, explorers, prospectors and miners in Western Australia.

“This includes improved efficiency, reduced costs, less duplication and reduced delays in approvals.

“Amec has consistently advocated for and strongly supports a risk and outcome-based regulatory framework which will help streamline the assessment and compliance processes. The amendments aim to reduce duplication in environmental protection and modernise existing provisions. It encourages practical and site-specific solutions to minimise any adverse impact on the environment.”