Mining Amendment Bill 2025 Brings Legislative Clarity
Western Australia’s mining sector is set for a major regulatory overhaul as the Mining Amendment Bill 2025 moves forward in Parliament. The Bill introduces 11 key amendments to the Mining Act 1978, aiming to modernise outdated legislative frameworks and address longstanding industry concerns. These reforms clarify tenure security, expenditure reporting, and application processes, providing greater operational certainty for exploration and mining companies.
Notably, the Bill allows for specific areas to be excised from exploration licence applications, a move that addresses both administrative delays and stakeholder conflicts. The legislation also refines how exemption applications are handled, creating more uniform interpretation across the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS).
Additionally, it modernises legal terminology, removes obsolete clauses, and strengthens tenure certainty—critical to attracting ongoing investment into WA’s renowned resources sector. Together, these reforms reflect a proactive effort by the WA Government to maintain its international reputation for mining regulation transparency and efficiency.
Industry Welcomes Move Towards Tenure Certainty
The mining sector has strongly welcomed the new legislation, citing its importance to the long-term viability of WA’s resources economy. Warren Pearce, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC), endorsed the reforms as essential. “Certainty of mining and exploration tenure is the foundation of WA’s mining industry success,” said Pearce.
He acknowledged the amendments resolve several tenure inconsistencies that have caused investor concern in recent years.
The government’s response follows legal cases like True Fella and Blue Ribbon, which exposed structural gaps in the previous legal framework. These cases triggered calls for tighter legal protections and more reliable processes around mining and exploration licensing. Pearce commended Minister for Mines and Petroleum David Michael for acting swiftly in consultation with stakeholders to restore clarity. The Bill’s changes have been viewed as a necessary foundation for regulatory consistency and investor confidence.
Warren Pearce, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC)
Legislative Progress Delayed, Then Strengthened
Initially tabled in December 2024, the Bill was designed to tackle industry tenure issues urgently. However, the March 2025 WA state election caused procedural delays in the legislative process, with parliamentary focus diverted during the campaign period. After the election, the newly returned WA Government revisited the draft Bill and added four more amendments to enhance its coverage and effectiveness. This brought the total number of changes to 11, strengthening the Bill’s scope and bringing it more in line with industry feedback. These post-election inclusions were prioritised by the Government to increase legislative clarity and better support exploration activities, particularly in regional and remote tenement areas.
The extended review and consultation period resulted in a more refined, comprehensive package of reforms now backed by a broader range of industry stakeholders. It reflects a deliberate shift toward deeper engagement with operational realities across WA’s mining value chain.
Royalty Administration Reforms Passed in Parallel
Complementing the main legislation, the Mining Amendment (Transfer of Royalty Administration) Bill 2025 was also passed. This Bill transfers royalty collection responsibilities from the Mines Minister to the Finance Minister, moving operational oversight to Revenue WA. Previously, royalties were managed by DEMIRS, but the shift brings WA in line with national royalty collection standards across other Australian jurisdictions.
This realignment aims to reduce administrative duplication, improve compliance transparency, and ensure a more centralised oversight of mining revenue. Minister Michael described the change as a “new way forward” that will deliver more consistent financial management across departments. By streamlining royalty systems, the Government hopes to eliminate inefficiencies without increasing the regulatory burden on mining companies.
Mechanical but Meaningful Reforms Reshape the Act
While some of the amendments appear mechanical, their operational significance is substantial, particularly for junior explorers and tenement holders. The Bill removes outdated terms, updates document-handling procedures, and restructures key administrative steps to align with modern mining practices. It also introduces standardised language across key processes, which helps to prevent disputes and misinterpretation during title applications or enforcement actions.
By eliminating ambiguities, the changes reduce legal risks and improve overall administrative efficiency. Minister Michael emphasised that these modernisation efforts are not cosmetic, but rather necessary adjustments that ensure WA’s mining legislation reflects contemporary realities. These reforms promote fairness and make it easier for new and existing operators to navigate the state’s mining laws.
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WA Resources Sector Set for Greater Stability
Western Australia’s reputation as a globally competitive mining jurisdiction stands to benefit significantly from these reforms. The Mining Amendment Bill 2025 sets a stronger foundation for legal certainty, especially in the early stages of exploration where risk is highest. The reforms provide exploration and junior mining companies with greater visibility and predictability in project planning. They also improve the legal backing required for long-term capital investment and exploration program approvals.
In parallel, the royalty administration reforms enhance government revenue accountability without introducing new compliance costs. The industry has praised the changes as both timely and responsive, especially given the evolving challenges facing the global mining sector. The WA Government’s proactive approach—from engaging with stakeholders to incorporating feedback—shows a commitment to maintaining a dynamic and investor-friendly legislative environment. Ultimately, these reforms mark a critical step in modernising WA’s mining laws, signalling a stronger future for exploration and extraction across the state.
