Mining regulation consultations to begin

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Elizabeth Anderson

Elizabeth Anderson@eliz_andersonsj 9 Jul 2020,

 Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan says three packages of draft mining regulations will be released for consultation and feedback from August 3.

 Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan says three packages of draft mining regulations will be released for consultation and feedback from August 3. Aa

CONSULTATION on future mining regulations is expected to begin next month – albeit digitally, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

In a letter of advanced notice sent out to members of parliament and local councils, Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan said the department would release draft regulations in three themed packages for review in early August.

The consultation follows on from the SA Parliament passing the Statutes Amendment (Mineral Resources) Bill 2019 in mid-October, and comes as the department begins to draft the regulations to sit beneath the revised Mining Act, ready to start in January, 2021.

The first package, with consultation opening August 3, will focus on land access; package two – available August 10 – on compliance and enforcement; and package three will look at operating approvals from August 17.

Submissions will close on September 11. The regulations will be available on the Energy and Mining departments website, with videos, webinars and online meetings planned.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan said the shaping of these regulations was an important role in the legislative process, while advance notice gave local MPs and councils the opportunity to ensure their constituents were engaged in the process.

“I look forward to receiving feedback from the community as to what elements of the regulations work and what elements can be improved,” he said.

Grain Producers SA chief executive officer Caroline Rhodes said while the regulations must be consistent with the framework set out in the Act, GPSA believes there is scope for these regulations to improve the process of exploration and resource extraction for landowners.

“GPSA will continue to advocate for a better balance between competing land use interests,” she said.

“GPSA continues to push for an independent review into SA’s mining law, which should, among other things, thoroughly examine best practice land access frameworks in NSW, Qld and WA.”

Last week, the government announced a free service to help landholders with dealings with mining and resource companies, which was a provision of the bill.