Regulating the industry
The worldwide nuclear industry (including uranium mining) is highly coordinated and tightly controlled. At an international, national and state level, various standards and safeguards are applied to ensure that the industry meets its obligations of security, safety and non-proliferation.
International, national and state agencies’ responsibilities for regulating the industry are described further in Section 8 of the ‘Guide to Uranium in Western Australia’ (PDF 7.0MB).
Uranium mining regulation in Western Australia
The Western Australian uranium mining industry has in place a stringent regulatory system involving a complex system of permits and licences, performance reporting and verification by inspection.
Although uranium mining has only been permissible since 2008, WA regulators have over four decades of experience in regulating radioactive materials.
The Summary of Statutory Requirements and Approvals (PDF 318kb) chart outlines the legislation governing uranium mining in Western Australia.
In 2012, an independent review of the regulatory framework governing uranium mining in Western Australia commissioned by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) was released.
DMP’s response and a copy of the review is available below:
- DMP response to the Uranium Advisory Group Report (PDF 516 kb)
- The Uranium Advisory Group Report Executive Summary (PDF 109 kb)
- The Uranium Advisory Group Report (PDF 1107 kb)
- 2009 Interagency Review of Regulatory Adequacy for Uranium Mining Development in Western Australia (PDF 1289 kb)
