The Western Australian Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) is seeking feedback on updates to its mine closure plan (MCP) guideline.
The guideline was established to assist applicants in preparing mine closure plans in accordance with Mining Act 1978 and Mining Regulations 1981.
DEMIRS has reviewed the MCP guidance in conjunction with the recently released draft guidelines for developing a mining development and closure proposal (MDCP).
The MDCP was a key feature introduced in the Mining Amendment Act 2022, and aims to ensure the documents align and duplication is reduced as much as possible.
Under efficiencies introduced by the Mining Amendment Act 2022, a standalone MCP will no longer be required at the project approval stage, removing duplication and streamlining decision-making.
While the Mining Act will still require MCPs to be submitted throughout the life of a mine, they will function as a planning tool to demonstrate an operation is tracking towards successful closure.
DEMIRS resource and environmental compliance executive director Tyler Sujdovic encouraged stakeholders to engage with a number of consultation drafts the department has planned for the approvals space this year.
“DEMIRS is progressing a number of initiatives introduced by the Mining Amendment Act 2022, which aims to create efficiencies and streamline decision making for a simpler approvals process,” Sujdovic said.
“In addition to the draft MCP guideline and draft MDCP guideline, stakeholders are also invited to provide feedback on the draft regulations for eligible mining activities that were recently released.”
More information on the documents and the feedback process can be found at the open consultation page. Feedback submissions close on June 25.
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