The document provides a strategic framework for Government to address the next phase of approvals reform over the coming 12 months and to ensure efficient project approvals without compromising environmental, Aboriginal heritage, and health and safety standards. 

“Efficient Government approval processes are critical in ensuring future opportunities and subsequent revenue streams are not lost”, said AMEC CEO, Simon Bennison.

“A multitude of approvals are required before projects or changes to them can be implemented. Some companies have had to obtain hundreds of approvals on one project alone. This imposes substantial cost burdens on the industry and consumes valuable resources of approval agencies”.

“AMEC has made a number of strategic and operational recommendations to Government that can be readily implemented”.

“Our recommendations include the formation of a strategic advisory committee with representatives from key resource industry bodies to provide high level policy advice; and identify and prioritise initiatives which would enhance the State’s approval processes, legislation and regulation”.

“We have also recommended wider adoption of information communication technology and more efficient administrative processes to remove duplications and streamline decision making”.

“AMEC has previously made a number of submissions to Government and has been a major driver on approvals reform on behalf of the industry”.

“The Government has already commenced and is implementing some important initiatives in the coordination of the approval reform agenda including increasing transparency and accountability. However, several reviews over the last decade have all recommended that more can be done to reform this process and safeguard the future of the industry”.

“There is a clear and urgent need to reduce the red tape in the approval process”.

“AMEC believes these changes will deliver significant and immediate improvements in the WA approvals system, and provide industry with increased clarity and certainty for the investment and business decision making process”.

“AMEC is calling on the Government to provide the necessary resources to bring about urgent approvals reform and looks forward to working with the Government to deliver a workable minerals exploration and mining industry for the benefit of all Western Australians,” said Mr Bennison.

Please click here for a copy of the AMEC Blueprint for Approvals Reform in WA.

The document provides a strategic framework for Government to address the next phase of approvals reform over the coming 12 months and to ensure efficient project approvals without compromising environmental, Aboriginal heritage, and health and safety standards. 

Efficient Government approval processes are critical in ensuring future opportunities and subsequent revenue streams are not lost.

A multitude of approvals are required before projects or changes to them can be implemented. Some companies have had to obtain hundreds of approvals on one project alone. This imposes substantial cost burdens on the industry and consumes valuable resources of approval agencies.
AMEC has made a number of strategic and operational recommendations to Government that can be readily implemented.

Our recommendations include the formation of a strategic advisory committee with representatives from key resource industry bodies to provide high level policy advice, identify and prioritise initiatives which would enhance the State’s approval processes, legislation and regulation.

Please click here for a copy  of the AMEC Blueprint for Approvals Reform in WA.

Click to links below to to download the AMEC’s submissions:

Submission to ASX

Submission to JORC

This will see cost recovery move to about 50% in the 2011/12 financial year and near full cost recovery in 2012/13. The DMP also advises that it will continue to consult with industry during the development of the new regulations, and will provide additional information on; the level of regulatory effort required for assessments, on-going auditing; other services provided (including incident investigations, general liaison and reassessment work); separation of fees for operation of approved MHF and assessment of new MHF; and how the fees model will be developed further through 2012.

AMEC will continue to provide member views through the various consultation and advisory committees set up by the DMP.

AMEC also has concerns with the governance, administration and the need to develop guidelines. We have offered to work through our concerns with DMP and develop reasonable solutions.

Following AMEC`s direct input it is understood that the DMP and Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore are supportive of the proposed Mining Rehabilitation Fund and will be seeking support of the WA Cabinet. It also seems likely that the transition period between the existing Bonds Policy and the new Mining Rehabilitation Fund be implemented will be much shorter than originally proposed.

We anticipate that formal advice will be received over the next month, following which instructions are likely to be issued for drafting of the legislation and presented to Parliament this year.

Click here for a copy of the 2012 Explorer Advertising Rate Card.

“This process only adds to the complexity for small and emerging exploration companies accessing land in Queensland and we are very disappointed there has been no consultation with industry.

“AMEC strongly discourages cash-bidding tender processes, as small and emerging companies will be disadvantaged. This is a completely inequitable practice.

“These major structural changes will cause further issues for future development in the region. It will definitely financially disadvantage the smaller operators. 

“The Queensland Government should revoke these changes and discuss the option through a consultation process with industry” said Mr Musgrove

Ross Musgrove | Regional Manager – QLD, NT
Association of Mining and Exploration Companies
P:1300 738 184                           M: 0438 717 430
Simon Bennison | Chief Executive Officer
Association of Mining and Exploration Companies
P:1300 738 184                           M: 0407 776 439

Download theAMEC Explorer December 2011

As previously reported, the WA Government has now approved a new resource projects rating policy, which will be trialed for three years, commencing 1 July 2012, and then permanently implemented, subject to a review at the end of the trial.

Under the new policy, gross rental valuation (GRV) will be applied to resource projects with permanent (12 months or more) accommodation, administration and residential facilities and maintenance workshops within 100m of these facilities.

All other land will be valued on an unimproved basis.

AMEC was previously not entirely supportive of the new policy, however recognised that local authorities already have the capacity through the Local Government Act to implement GRV assessments on mining tenements. The new policy should provide some clarity and consistency.

Click here for a copy of the policy.

“It was announced today that the Greens did a secret deal with the Government late last night to support the government’s new mining tax. The mining tax was then voted on in the Lower House with only the Greens knowing what this secret deal was.

“Last year the Federal Government did a deal behind closed doors with the big three mining companies without any consultation with the rest of the industry, Treasury has not released the assumptions underpinning the MRRT revenue forecasts and now yet another secret deal was made for it to get passed through the Lower House.

“What happened to transparency in Government?

“AMEC is puzzled with how this apparent annual shortfall of $20 million in revenue has been calculated. There is no evidence to suggest this is correct and this constant lack of transparency and secrecy does not foster confidence in this legislation.

“The lack of transparency only reiterates the unfair nature of this tax, which will discriminate small emerging miners.

“The Federal Government has chosen to ignore the significant effect the MRRT will have on small emerging Australian miners, and our many concerns and recommendations have gone unheard over the past 18 months.

“AMEC will continue to express our concerns through the Senate process”, said Mr Bennison.