Edition 45, June 2007

Queensland's mining laws under review

Queensland's Mineral Resources Act 1989 is being reviewed for the first time in 17 years to ensure that it meets the demands and challenges of the modern local mining industry.

The Act is the principal piece of legislation regulating mineral exploration, extraction and processing. It recognises that the modern mining environment has a broader focus than in the past, acknowledging the rights and interests of those affected by the industry as well as economic development imperatives. The review is intended to encourage greater certainty and a more sustainable mining sector in Queensland in the future.

Stakeholders have three months to comment on a discussion paper exploring trends in the current and possible future environment for the exploration and mining industry, the objectives of the legislation and mining tenures.

As well as reviewing the existing legislation, ways to improve the administration of the Act will be investigated. Issues such as streamlining procedures for processing mining and petroleum tenures, improving mining title registration and management, better security of tenure and the transfer of mineral rights will also be addressed.

However, the review does not extend to the royalties regime, the mining-related provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the respective State and Commonwealth native title acts.

Interested parties can obtain a copy of the discussion paper Review of Queensland mining legislation for the Mineral Resources Act 1989 and the Fossicking Act 1994 from Department of Mines and Energy regional offices or the department's website. Responses are encouraged by 4.30pm, 17 August 2007.

Comments can be emailed to minlegreview@dme.qld.gov.au, posted to Mining Legislation Review, Department of Mines and Energy, PO Box 15216 City East, Qld 4002 or faxed to (07) 3238 3188.

For more information visit www.dme.qld.gov.au

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