The NSW Minister for Mineral and Forest Resources Ian Macdonald welcomed comment from the public and industry groups on the significant changes to the Mining Regulation 2010 and the introduction of an Exploration Code, which will affect all mining and exploration activities across the State.
Mr Macdonald said the Mining Regulation and Exploration Code would reduce red tape for exploration approvals while requiring higher environmental standards and providing greater certainty to the industry and stakeholders on their rights and obligations with mining and exploration in NSW.
He said that these changes would ensure the regulation of mining is consistent with contemporary environmental standards, community expectations and recent developments in the NSW regulatory framework.
Mr Macdonald suggested the proposed Mining Regulation and Exploration Code aim to make these changes without adding significantly to the industry’s compliance costs, while at the same time introducing comprehensive penalties for those doing the wrong thing.
Mr Macdonald’s comments come a week after the Lightning Ridge Miner’s Association (LRMA) expressed its concerns over the massive fee increases proposed by the Mining Regulation.
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