Unauthorised mining activity can range from mining outside approved tenements, prospecting on tenements without approval or prospecting on Crown land without a miner's right.
When an individual or entity bypasses the regulator, or conducts mining activity where they shouldn't be, it is not only illegal but poses significant risk to Western Australia's unique environment.
Proactive compliance and stakeholder engagement is an ongoing priority for the department's Resource and Environmental Compliance (REC) division to ensure miners do the right thing by our laws and State.
The investigations team, which sits within the Title Compliance Branch of REC, recently ventured to the Goldfields to increase their on-the-ground presence and target illegal mining activity.
They conducted a series of patrols and proactive inspections at more than 30 pending and live tenements, along with an active 40E permit throughout Coolgardie, Ora Banda and Broad Arrow.
There was also a targeted response to a number of illegal mining allegations in the Mount Monger area.
The team met with staff from the Shire of Yilgarn in Southern Cross, as well as the WAPOL Gold Stealing Detection Unit in Kalgoorlie. This relationship continues to strengthen, having regularly assisted the unit with illegal mining reports.
Throughout the year, proactive and routine inspections will take place in a range of locations across the State to ensure the sector is complying.
Local prospectors and mine operators are reminded to always have their miner's right or authority to mine at hand, ready to provide to inspectors if they receive a visit in future.
