State Development Minister releases prospecting guide

11/4/01
State Development Minister Clive Brown today released the latest edition of Prospecting in Western Australia at an Amalgamated Prospectors and Leaseholders Association (APLA) meeting in Kalgoorlie.
Historically, prospectors have played an important role in the discovery of some of the State's most significant economic mineral deposits.
Mr Brown said the Prospecting in Western Australia publication was a practical guide for anyone continuing the tradition.
The booklet, created by the Department of Minerals and Energy, with assistance from industry groups such as APLA, contains information about prospectors' rights and obligations.
Prospecting in Western Australia also contains information on how other legislation can affect prospectors' rights.
"Prospecting in this State requires a Miner's Right, otherwise illegal prospectors can face fines of up to $10,000," Mr Brown said.
"Given the large tracts of land available, there is no excuse for anyone prospecting without the appropriate authority.
"By having a Miner's Right, a person is authorised to prospect for minerals, including gold, on vacant Crown and pastoral land not held under a granted mining tenement."
However, the issuing of a Miner's Right is conditional and a holder must:

• inform the pastoralist if they intend to prospect on a pastoral lease;
• gain written permission from the tenement holder if they want to prospect on a mining tenement, and in certain cases obtain written consent;
• only use hand-held tools and metal detectors while prospecting;
• avoid damage to property and livestock; and -
• protect the environment by filling all holes, taking away all rubbish and leaving the area clean and tidy.

It is also possible to prospect on current exploration licences, provided that notification is given to exploration licence-holders and the appropriate permit is obtained.
"The issuing of a Section 20A permit allows the holder of a Miner's Right to access up to 2,800ha of an exploration licence, for a period of three months," Mr Brown said.
"One of the conditions of this permit is that both the exploration licence-holder and the Department of Minerals and Energy must be advised of any mineral discoveries made while prospecting."

Prospectors must also take care to ensure minimal disturbance to the land, as well as areas of Aboriginal significance.
"So, before heading off to prospect or fossick, remember to get your Miner's Right and understand your responsibilities as a prospector," the Minister said.
Prospecting in Western Australia is a free publication and is available from the Information Centre at Mineral House, 100 Plain Street, East Perth or from Mining Registrars throughout the State.
It can also be downloaded from the department's website at: http://www.dme.wa.gov.au/prodserv/pub/pdfs/prospec.pdf
For more information on prospecting, telephone the Department's Information Centre on 9222 3409.
Media contacts:
Bev East (State Development Minister's Office) 9222 9699
Greg Lawrence, Department of Minerals and Energy - 9222 3572