Revised Practice Directions for the Kalgoorlie and Leonora Wardens Court
March 16, 2021
5 Interesting Facts About Coal In Australia
April 9, 2021
As most people are aware, Australia has a long history of mining and exploration, and mining is still a major contributor to Australia’s economy today. In many discussions about the future of mining, people often raise the issue of a growing global focus on sustainable energy and environmental protection – both concerns which could theoretically reduce the need or desire for large mining and exploration projects to proceed. At Hetherington, our mining lawyers and environmental consultants are abreast of all industry trends and have a deep understanding of what the future looks like for the Australian mining sector.
- Tenement consultants are more important than ever before.
As some national and state leaders change their perspective on what is important for the community, legislation associated with mining leases, exploration licences and prospecting licences is continually evolving. In order to succeed in acquiring a tenement or arranging a mining approval, mining corporations must work with a leading tenement consultant to comprehend the technical details of mining law.
- Mining will always be an important part of Australia’s economy.
If we look at coal specifically, Australia is the world’s largest exporter of coal, contributing to around 35% of all international trade. That’s just in the instance of coal. Gold is another example of how other parts of the globe are reliant on our mining operations. Australia is in the top three largest gold producers in the world. Gold is Australia’s third major commodity export, and it is a mineral that can be found in every state of the country.
We are also a major exporter of iron ore, lead, diamonds, rutile, zinc and zirconium. Our mineral-rich land has enabled our country to become a significant source of minerals for the world, and it’s unlikely that foreign dependence on our mineral trade will ever diminish.
- There will continue to be legislative reforms related to mining.
As society evolves, there is a greater focus on sustainable mining and environmental protection. In Australia particularly, the community has growing concerns regarding climate change and the protection of Aboriginal heritage sites. In recent years, we have seen continual changes to each state’s mining legislation, which can be difficult for mining corporations to keep up with. Mining corporations are essentially now an open book as the public examines their ability to conduct environmentally conscious and moral practices.
At Hetherington, our mining lawyers stay up to date with all law changes and industry trends relating to the mining and exploration sector. We provide our clients with the latest and most relevant advice according to current legislative matters. Our specialty services ensure mining corporations can navigate the complexities of tenement management and ultimately acquire the necessary environmental approvals and mining leases to conduct their work.
Mining laws can vary from state to state, which is why we have three offices based in major cities across the country – Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. To get in touch with our team, learn more about our services, or get started on your tenement, you can contact us on 02 9967 4844 (Sydney), 08 9228 9977 (Perth), or 07 3236 1768 (Brisbane).
- Western Australia is a key player in future mining activity.
Australia has more than 300 mines across the country, and more than half of those mines are located in Western Australia. This is likely due to the flat and extensive terrain that makes up inland Western Australia. This sparsely populated area is at an advantage when it comes to mining and exploration. One of the key benefits of their strong mining industry is the number of jobs it creates for Western Australians.
- Mining will continue a digital reform.
Just like all other industries, the mining sector is undergoing a digital transformation to enable more automation, better efficiency, and more cost-effectiveness in mines. Modern machines and drones have already become critical tools in mines across the country, and it is expected that the need for digital technologies will only continue. Our mines are smarter than ever before.
- Mine health and safety are essential for success in the future.
As well as reducing time and resources, digital technologies can help mining corporations with safety on the worksite. Australian society has strengthened its focus on safety and well-being for major developmental projects, and many mining companies now need to demonstrate their compliance with safety regulations to maintain or seek tenement renewal.
Our team is highly experienced in tenement reporting and exploration reporting in the context of health and safety compliance. For help with mining compliance, tenement compliance and mine work health and safety, contact Hetherington today.