Newman Government passes modern mining reforms

Mining industry reforms passed by the Queensland Parliament last night bring the State’s resource sector legislation into the 21st century, and maximise the value of mineral resources for all Queenslanders.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said amendments contained within the Mines and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 would introduce a competitive tendering process to explore Queensland’s highly prospective coal tenures.

“Amendments to Queensland’s mining and petroleum and gas laws will see the introduction of a more modern approach to managing the State’s resources industries,” Mr Cripps said.

“These proposed changes will expand and improve the competitive tendering process for petroleum and gas introduced last year.

“By allocating exploration rights through a competitive tender process, we will ensure all Queenslanders benefit from the timely development of the state’s most resource-rich areas.

“This competitive process to secure exploration tenure will ensure those companies that win the rights to explore highly prospective land are fully committed to resources development.”

Mr Cripps said industry criticism of the cash tender system had been misleading and inflammatory.

“Claims that large mining companies would be advantaged through a competitive cash bidding framework are unfounded,” he said.

“The majority of future land releases for exploration tenure will continue to be released through a tender process that does not involve cash bids.”

Mr Cripps said the competitive tendering process was the same process followed for all State Government tenders.

“An Evaluation Panel will assess tenders on their capability and commitment to deliver a work program based on criteria set out in the call for tender documentation.

“Furthermore, an independent probity advisor will scrutinise and oversee the Government’s call for tenders and the tender evaluation process.

“The Bill also includes measures to underpin the future development of the Aurukun bauxite resource on Cape York and other planned resource projects in the region.

“These reforms will deliver on the Newman Government’s commitment in its Six Month Action Plan to reduce red tape and give the mining industry investment certainty.”

[ENDS] 20 March 2013

Media contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Paul Sutherland 0428 868 237