This booklet is a guide only; it does not provide a complete account of the relevant provisions of the Mining Act 1978 and Mining Regulations 1981. It includes input from industry groups and contains practical hints to help you stay safe and meet your legal obligations.
Prospectors should also know how other legislation might affect them when exercising their rights. This includes the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, Land Administration Act 1997, Bush Fires Act 1954 and others.
Mining, prospecting or exploring any land in Western Australia without the appropriate authorisation and permission is an offence under the Mining Act. Breaching the Act may incur a penalty of up to $150,000 for an individual or $300,000 for a body corporate.
Prospecting is ‘mining’ for the purposes of the Mining Act and any mining in Western Australia must be duly authorised. For further information, go to prospecting and fossicking in WA.
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