Potential Australia-India free trade agreement

Obtaining access to infrastructure

Woomera Access

Some members have experienced frustration when trying to access the Woomera Protected Area (WPA) to proceed with exploration activities, especially drilling. The Department of Defence (DoD) requires every company wishing to access the WPA to sign a Deed of Access, regardless of whether you may have had access in the past. No signed Deed of Access, no WPA access! Processing the Deed of Access may take up to one month, so please allow this timeline when planning your activities.

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Members are reminded that the signing and acceptance of the Deed of Access: does not provide blanket approval to enter the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA). Nor does it imply that mining will be approved within the WPA in the future. Approval for access will be based on any conflict between your activities and Defence's activities. As Defence has priority over other activities within the WPA, there may be periods during which access cannot be granted.

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 The Chamber continues to liaise with the DoD and the State Government on an ongoing basis to ensure industry interests are supported within the WPA and are always available to work with members, who are looking to explore in the WPA, with any issues that they may have. Members are encouraged to make their best efforts to liaise with WPA representatives to try and get the best possible information on the areas in which they are exploring. The Chamber also advises that members seek independent legal advice before signing the Deed of Access.

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The contact for Woomera Protected Area in regards to access is Glenn Kay, Woomera Activities and Customer Liaison Officer, Woomera Test Facility, RAAF Base, Edinburgh SA 5111, Ph: 08 8393 2160 or Email: woomera.testfacility@defence.gov.au  Please direct any concerns or queries to either Glenn Kay or Jonathon Forbes , Director Industry Development, SACOME on 08 8202 9999.

Exploration Committee is back!

The SACOME Exploration Committee has been re-formed and has met twice since September 2007.  Chaired by Kevin Wills (Managing Director, Maximus Resources), the Exploration Committee is made up of representatives from large and small mining companies.  The Committee is one of the main policy setting forums in SACOME and offers members the chance to feedback issues that are important to them.  Some of the issues raised for attention include land access (esp. Cultana and Woomera) inc: Deeds of Access, Mining Acts Amendments, Native Vegetation Legislation, infrastructure and labour shortages. 

 Any industry member of SACOME can raise issues with the Exploration Committee. Please contact Jonathon Forbes, Director – Industry Development, SACOME on Ph: 8202 9999 or email: jforbes@sacome.org.au

Proposed amendments to the Mining Act 1971

The Minerals and Energy Resources Division (MER) of PIRSA has been undertaking a review of the Mining Act 1971 and Mines and Works Inspection Act 1920 over a period of time.   A Consultation Paper has been released by MER, PIRSA asking for comments and written submissions by Friday 23 November 2007. Some members have already made submissions in their own right which we would encourage members to do.   As you would expect, many of the proposals are helpful and constructive and some are not so. SACOME will be making a submission on behalf of its members.   For more information, contact Jonathon Forbes, Director – Industry Development, SACOME, on 8373 9600.

Code of conduct for explorers

  SACOME is taking the lead on the producing a voluntary Code of Conduct for companies accessing rural land for exploration purposes. The Code is designed to foster good relations between farmers and explorers by providing a framework for access to rural land. This is based on understanding and sensitivity by explorers that they are ‘guests’ on private land and appreciation by farmers of the needs and rights of explorers.   Representatives of SACOME have met with the SA Farmers’ Federation and have agreed to produce a draft for comment by 13 December 2007.

Recent submissions

• Submission made to the Review of OHS&W Regulations. December 2007.

• Submission to the Inquiry of the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs into the Migration Amendment (Sponsorship Obligations) Bill 2007.

   

• Comment on Proposed Amendment to the South Australian Long Service Leave Act 1987

   

South Australian Chamber
of Mines and Energy Incorporated
Mining and Energy House

290 Glen Osmond Road

Fullarton South Australia 5063

Phone +61 8 8202 9999

Fax +61 8 8202 9900