The WA Department of Mines and Petroleum reports that in 2012 it has received more than 7,000 mining, petroleum and geothermal applications.
And thanks to a recently launched online access system, members of the public now have greater access to some of the detailed environmental plans mining companies submit through Annual Environmental Reports (AERs).
These detail a company's mining activities, as well as disturbance areas and completed environmental rehabilitation works.
The new online system for submitting AERs to the WA Department of Mines and Petroleum provides a number of benefits, including:
1. Providing the public with easily accessible information on how resource companies are responding to their environmental responsibilities; and
2. Improving data consistency, efficiency and transparency across the department's services.
The online system will become compulsory for Mining Companies to use from July 1 2013.