A multi-pronged approach is the key to restoring mineral exploration in WA, says Bowler Inquiry

10/11/02
PLEASE NOTE: A FULL COPY OF THE BOWLER INQUIRY REPORT CAN BE DOWNLOADED AT:
http://www.mpr.wa.gov.au/news/governmentreviews/bowler.html
The Bowler Inquiry report into the review of mineral exploration in Western Australia was officially handed over to State Development Minister Clive Brown today, by the chairman of the inquiry, Eyre MLA John Bowler.
It is the first review of its kind ever undertaken in Australia, and aims to increase the proportion of the world's exploration investment coming to WA.
Mr Brown said Mr Bowler had developed recommendations designed to lay the foundation for strategies that would encourage more exploration expenditure to help secure the future of the State's largest economic contributor.
"The decline in exploration levels over the last five years threatens the long-term future of the resources industry, which supports our high standard of living," the Minister said.
The Bowler Inquiry found tackling the backlog of unprocessed mining title applications in line with addressing issues of native title is pivotal to restoring WA's mineral exploration industry.
Highlighting a key recommendation within the review, Mr Bowler said clearing the logjam of unprocessed tenements could inject more than $50million per year into the search for minerals in WA.
"This has the potential to create new jobs in remote areas of the State," he said.
Also, additional revenue of $2million in the first year, $4million in the second year and $6million in the third year would be generated for the community, as well as longer-term benefits from new discoveries.
Other key recommendations of the inquiry include:

• increased provision of regional geoscientific data;

• changes to heritage protection procedures and support for native title bodies to expedite access to land;

• establishment of a greenfields region exploration title; and

• the introduction of investment incentives for smaller exploration companies such as flow-through share schemes.

A flow-through share scheme would allow smaller explorers with limited income streams to get tax relief for their efforts and is an issue for the Federal Government to address.
"Our objective is to have explorers and drilling rigs return to the mineral fields in numbers even greater than the buoyant times of the past," Mr Bowler said.

The inquiry received 37 submissions from across the resources industry including the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy, Amalgamated Prospectors' and Leaseholders' Association and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.
Submissions were also received from various companies, individuals and several Government agencies.
Mr Brown said the Bowler Inquiry report, which contained 33 recommendations, would be open for public comment until December 16.
Minister's office: 9222 9699