Senior representatives from Australian Government resource regulatory agencies met in Perth to discuss shared opportunities, emerging challenges, and future directions for effective and responsible regulation of the resources sector.
The inaugural National Resources Regulators Forum, held from 7 to 9 September, brought together representatives from state, territory and national resource regulatory agencies to explore common priorities and future directions for the sector.
Hosted by the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE), the forum provided a platform to share insights, discuss emerging challenges and strengthen connections on issues of national significance.
Presentations from participating agencies and contributions from industry representatives informed discussions throughout the forum.
Delegates also welcomed the Hon. Daniel Pastorelli MLA, Minister for Mines, Petroleum and Exploration, at the conclusion of the first day of the forum.
Shared priorities across jurisdictions
Delegates recognised the important role the resources sector plays in supporting economic development, regional communities, energy security and the supply of minerals and resources essential to Australia’s future prosperity and global competitiveness.
They also acknowledged the importance of robust regulatory frameworks that support responsible development while providing certainty, transparency and efficiency for industry and the community.
Common priorities and challenges identified by delegates included:
- balancing timely and efficient approvals while maintaining environmental, safety, heritage and community protections;
- digital transformation, system modernisation and the adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence;
- land access, competing land uses and evolving stakeholder expectations;
- mine closure, rehabilitation, decommissioning and long-term liability management;
- financial assurance frameworks and approaches to managing legacy and inactive sites;
- regulatory capability, workforce development and specialist recruitment;
- maintaining public confidence and social licence in the resources sector; and
- improving coordination between state, territory and Australian Government regulatory processes.
Delegates noted that many jurisdictions are modernising regulatory systems to improve effectiveness and approval efficiency. Participants shared lessons from ongoing system modernisation programs and explored opportunities for continued collaboration between jurisdictions on digital transformation, data integration and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
In addition, industry representatives and regulators reinforced the importance of clear regulatory frameworks, risk-based compliance approaches, high-quality application processes and transparent performance reporting.
Priorities for future collaboration
Participants highlighted several areas where greater cooperation between jurisdictions could provide value. These included regulatory reform, the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, financial assurance and liability management frameworks, compliance and enforcement approaches, and regulatory performance measurement and reporting.
Discussions also covered land access, Aboriginal Heritage and Native Title matters, as well as Commonwealth initiatives and regulatory reforms, including the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Native Title Act 1993 reforms.
As part of the program, delegates visited Newmont’s Boddington Gold Mine to observe large-scale mining operations and discuss regulatory, operational and rehabilitation considerations. The site visit reinforced the value of bringing regulators together to share insights and strengthen understanding of contemporary industry practices.
The forum reaffirmed the value of regular engagement between jurisdictions, with delegates agreeing to continue information sharing and collaboration and supporting further discussions on emerging issues of shared interest.
Delegates welcomed South Australia’s offer to host the National Resources Regulators Forum in 2027.
