New Mining Rehabilitation Advisory Panel announced

A group of independent experts have been appointed to the Mining Rehabilitation Advisory Panel (MRAP) as part of the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration’s (DMPE) continued commitment to manage mine site abandonment across Western Australia.

Established under the Mining Rehabilitation Fund Act 2012 (WA), MRAP provides independent advice to DMPE on matters related to the management of the Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) and the Abandoned Mines Program.

MRAP Panel members – Term 5

In May 2025, the department published a notice calling for expressions of interest from anyone with the relevant skills or expertise to replace MRAP's outgoing Term 4 members.   

The MRAP members have now been selected and appointed:

The Panel consists of five members with new members appointed effective from 10 August 2025 holding office until 15 December 2027.

The three new members Paul McDonald, Nelson Amoah and Melissa Harrison were selected from a diverse range of applicants representing industry and peak industry groups.

Vern Newton who was a member of the panel in its Term 4, has been reappointed as Chair.

Andrew Buckley recently replaced resigning member Helen Chernoff (Term 4) on 16 December 2024.

More background on the panel members can be found on the Mining Rehabilitation Advisory Panel (MRAP) webpage. 

MRAP Panel members – Term 4

DMPE Acting Executive Director Resource and Environmental Compliance Division Simon Moore thanks the outgoing MRAP members Renee Young (Chair), Angela Bishop (Deputy Chair) and members Naomi Hutchings and Helen Chernoff for their valuable support and significant guidance provided to departmental officers during their term.

Members of MRAP during the panel’s Term 4 (10 August 2022 – 9 August 2025):