PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian state government has amended the state’s mining regulations to assist tenement holders to apply for expenditure exemption amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the revised regulations, tenement holders can now apply for expenditure exemptions if they are able to demonstrate that the pandemic has affected their ability to meet their expenditure conditions.
Mines, Petroleum and Energy Minister Bill Johnston said that the temporary amendments also reduce the amount of time allowed for an objection to be lodged, from 35 days to 14 days, and all exemption applications will now be published online.
Additionally, the state government has also cut its assessment timeframes in half for exploration programme of work applications, Johnston said.
"Mineral exploration is fundamental to the ongoing success of Western Australia's resources sector and we continue to work with industry to improve outcomes,” the Minister said.
"The government recognises that tenement holders continue to be impacted by Covid-19 and the new regulations will help the resources sector by reducing the objection timeframe while still providing procedural fairness for objectors.
"A review of these arrangements, which are not intended to be permanent, is planned for early 2021 and industry will be consulted as part of the process."