Environment
The Department of Mines and Petroleum’s Environment area of the Petroleum and Environment Division assesses mineral and petroleum exploration and development applications made within Western Australia. The Division also assesses and audits petroleum activities in Commonwealth areas offshore from WA. It has a responsibility to assess, audit and inspect mineral and petroleum activities to ensure that their operation is consistent with the principles of responsible development.
Environmental approvals are granted in accordance with the Mining Act 1978 (WA), Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (WA), Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969 (WA), Petroleum Submerged Lands Act 1982(WA) and Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cwth).
Clearing Permits are granted under a delegation from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC)in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and the Environmental Protection(Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Mining and petroleum clearing permit measures can be viewed on the DEC website.
The Division has significantly enhanced and improved its systems and procedures through the implementation of the Environmental Assessment Regulatory System (EARS) that monitors and manages workflow and reporting. In January 2009 the area had its Quality Management Systems (QMS) re-certified under Standards ISO 9001:2008: for a further 3 years.
Programme of Works
Minerals Branch
The Minerals Branch of the Environment Division administers aspects of the Mining Act 1978 (WA) and Mining Regulations 181 relating to the activities of the mining industry by undertaking the assessment, approval and inspection of mining and exploration projects.
The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has a leading role in the facilitation of responsible development of mining for the benefit of the people of Western Australia.
Responsible development means that mining is conducted to meet leading practice environmental and rehabilitation standards from the exploration phase, through operational phase to the decommissioning and closure phase.
Programme of Works
When a mining company or prospector wants to explore for minerals in Western Australia, they are required by the Mining Act 1978 to complete and submit a PoW application to the Minerals Branch. The PoW facilities this process.
The PoW for is used to detail:
- Exploration work to be undertaken;
- Total area proposed to be disturbed (ha);
- Land tenure;
- Existing environment;
- Environmental management; and
- Rehabilitation practices to be used.
Forms, Guidelines and Checklists
Forms
Programme of Work (POW) - Exploration (Word 570kb, opens in a new window)
Guidelines
Mineral Exploration/Rehabilitation Activities (PDF, 918kb, opens in a new window)
PoW Screening Checklist - Blank (Word, 58kb, opens in a new window)
Related Links
Mining Proposal
Minerals Branch
The Minerals Branch of the Environment Division administers aspects of the Mining Act 1978 (WA) and Mining Regulations 181 relating to the activities of the mining industry by undertaking the assessment, approval and inspection of mining and exploration projects.
The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has a leading role in the facilitation of responsible development of mining for the benefit of the people of Western Australia.
Responsible development means that mining is conducted to meet leading practice environmental and rehabilitation standards from the exploration phase, through operational phase to the decommissioning and closure phase.
Mining Proposal
Environmental approval for mining activities is one aspect of the Mining Act 1978. DMP requires proponents to submit a document called a Mining Proposal for assessment and written approval from the Director Environment Division before mining operations can commence. Before the proclamation of the Mining Amendment Act 2004, the Mining Proposal was known as a Notice of Intent (NOI) which were approved by the State Mining Engineer.
A Mining Proposal is submitted to DMP for the assessment of potential environmental impacts and the environmental management of a proposed mining operation. If approved, the Mining Proposal is used to determine the environmental conditions for approval The title of the document becomes a condition so that all commitments made in the Mining Proposal become legally binding.
In certain circumstances a Mining Proposal can be submitted to DMP when applying for a Mining Lease or General Purpose Lease. It is preferable to submit a Statement and Mineralisation report for Mining Lease applications.
Forms, Guidelines and Checklists
Forms
No application form
Guidelines
Mining Environmental Management Guidelines (PDF, 961kb, opens in a new window)
Checklists MP Screening Checklist - Blank (Word, 40kb)
Related Links
Native Vegetation Clearing Permits
Native Vegetation Assessment Branch
As of 1 July 2005, the Department of Mines and Petroleum, formerly the Department of Industry and Resources accepted a formal delegation from the Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Environment and Conservation under Part V, Division 2 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 for the administration, assessment and approval of clearing permit applications relating to mineral and petroleum activities in Western Australia.
There are two types of clearing permits which can be applied for - Area Permit and Purpose Permit.
Area Permits
Under s.51E of the Environmental Protection Act, 1986, an Area Permit can only be applied for by an applicant who is the owner of the land, likely to become the owner of the land or where an applicant is undertaking clearing on behalf of the owner of the land and has written authority to do so. Area permits are for clearing of defined areas. Area Permits are generally approved for a default period of two years.
A land owner can include person(s) who hold a certificate of title; are a public authority that is responsible for the care of the land; or who is the lessee of crown land.
In terms of mineral and petroleum activities, an Area Permit is only applicable to activities conducted on General Purpose Leases and Mining Leases (which are deemed under the Act to confer land ownership). Hence, it is necessary to apply for a Purpose Permit for mineral and petroleum activities that are undertaken on any other type of mineral or petroleum tenure as these tenure do not confer land ownership as defined under Section 51A of the Act.
Purpose Permits
Under s51E of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, a Purpose Permit can only be applied by an applicant who is not the owner of the land which will be cleared but have authority under a written law or permission to access the land to conduct the clearing. Purpose Permits are for clearing of different areas from time to time for a specified purpose. Purpose Permits are generally approved for a default period of five years.
The clearing assessment process conducted for both Area Permits and Purpose Permits is the same.
Forms, Guidelines and Checklists
Checklists (PDF 86kb, opens in a new window)
Related Links
Department of Environment & Conservation - Native Vegetation conservation
Environmental Management Plans
Petroleum Environment Branch
The Petroleum Branch administers the Petroleum [Submerged Lands] [Management of Environment] Regulations 1999 (Commonwealth) and State Petroleum environmental requirements under the Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969 (WA), the Petroleum Submerged Lands Act 1982 (WA) and the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (WA). This branch promotes responsible practices in the petroleum industry to ensure the protection of the environment for both onshore and offshore operations through the assessment of Environmental Management Plans (EMP), Environment Plans and Oil Spill Contingency Plans.
Environmental Management Plan
An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) constitutes the environmental documentation which must accompany an application for approval to carry out petroleum activities under State jurisdiction. It is an environmental management document pertaining to a particular activity which provides details of the activity and the measures that will be implemented to manage the environmental risks associated with that activity.
Guidelines on how to write an EMP will be available soon. In the meantime, please refer to Section 3 of the Guidelines for the preparation and submission of an Environment Plan (DRET 2008).
Forms, Guidelines and Checklists
Forms
No Application Form for this application
Guidelines
Guidelines for the preparation and submission of an Environment Plan (PDF 4Mb, opens in a new window)
Checklists
EMP Checklist (PDF 42Kb, opens in a new window)
Related Links
Environment Plans
Petroleum Environment Branch
The Petroleum Branch administers the Petroleum [Submerged Lands] [Management of Environment] Regulations 1999 (Commonwealth) and State Petroleum environmental requirements. This branch promotes responsible practices in the petroleum industry to ensure the protection of the environment for both onshore and offshore operations through the assessment of Environmental Plans (EP).
Environmental Plan
An Environment Plan (EP) constitutes the environmental documentation which must accompany an application for approval to carry out petroleum activities under Commonwealth jurisdiction. It is an environmental management document pertaining to a particular activity
which provides details of the activity and the measures that will be implemented to manage the environmental risks associated with that activity. EP’s also contain a record of the proponents environmental commitments.
Forms, Guidelines and Checklists
Forms
No Application Form for this application
Guidelines
Guidelines for the preparation and submission of an Environment Plan (PDF 4Mb, opens in a new window)
Checklists
EP Checklist (PDF 43Kb, opens in a new window)
Related Links
Oil Spill Contingency Plans
Petroleum Environment Branch
The Petroleum Branch administers the Petroleum [Submerged Lands] [Management of Environment] Regulations 1999 (Commonwealth) and State Petroleum environmental requirements. This branch promotes responsible practices in the petroleum industry to ensure the protection of the environment for both onshore and offshore operations through the assessment of Oil Spill Contingency Plans (OSCP).
Oil Spill Contingency Plans
An Oil Spill Contingency Plan (OSCP) is required for petroleum activities in State or Commonwealth waters. An OSCP is a project or area-specific plan which outlines the response structure, strategy and relevant information needed to assist decision making in the event of an oil spill resulting from a petroleum activity. The four key aspects of spill response are prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. These four aspects must be addressed prior to receiving approval to carry out a petroleum activity. The document is required to demonstrate that the proponent possesses (or has access to) the resources, management structure, relevant information and skills to prevent, contain and clean-up an oil spill.
The development and approval of an OSCP is required for offshore exploration drilling and production under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Acts Schedule of Specific Requirements as to Offshore Petroleum Exploration and Production, as well as under Regulation 14(8) of the Petroleum [Submerged Lands] [Management of Environment] Regulations 1999.
Forms, Guidelines and Checklists
Forms
No application form for this application
Guidelines
Guidelines for the preparation and submission of an Environment Plan (PDF 4Mb, opens in a new window)
Checklists
OSCP Checklist (PDF 46Kb, opens in a new window)
Related Links
Stop the clock
All timelines are subject to stop the clock. This mechanism is part of the Department of Mines and Petroleum’s timeline management of approvals whereby the timeline target is adjusted for the time taken by other processes outside our control, for example objections in the Warden’s Court and EPA referrals, or the time taken by the proponent to provide the required information.
Performance against timeline targets will be published on the internet from April 2009.
