The Western Australia (WA) government and agencies have collaborated with science experts and a wide range of industry representatives on a new mine closure criteria for mine sites across the region.
The partnership has announced a new guidance for the rehabilitation of mine sites in WA.
Commenting on the new guidance, Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston said: “The new Western Australian guidance for mine closure is a great example of government and industry working together to deliver better rehabilitation outcomes for our state.
“It provides industry with greater clarity and consistency in the development of mine closure plans across different locations and commodities. Effective mine closure is critical to ensure the long-term environmental sustainability of the industry.
“Working together with industry to improve regulation and regulatory practice is a key part of the McGowan Government’s Streamline WA initiative.”
The guidance, ‘A framework for developing mine-site completion criteria in Western Australia,’ outlines environmental criteria for mine operators to demonstrate successful and sustainable rehabilitation of their site after mining.
Developed by the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute, the new guidance is endorsed by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
Though the new guidance mostly targets the resources sector, it can also be used by the other industries as guidance for undertaking ecological restoration.
In February last year, the government unveiled a new code of practice regarding emergency management at mines in the state.
The code was issued by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, and serves as a practical guide on emergency management systems used in surface and underground mines, as well as quarries.
