The mining lobby has welcomed the NSW government's moves to streamline the regulation of mining exploration in the state, saying miners were pleased to see government agencies reviewing the way they dealt with the mining sector.
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NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said he was encouraged by moves within the Department of Resources and Energy to review its processes to improve the way it deals with mining.
Mr Galilee was speaking after the NSW government began phasing in its new regime titled "Improved Mining Exploration Regulation", which extended exploration licence terms to five years, reduced the number of conditions on exploration, and streamlined the assessment process for coal, minerals and petroleum exploration.
"Over the last few years, investment in mineral exploration in NSW has fallen sharply," Mr Galilee said.
"With complex and uncertain administrative processes and increasing red tape there has been a visible loss of investor confidence in NSW mineral exploration.
"A strong minerals exploration sector is critical for mining to remain one of the key economic and employment drivers in NSW."
The mining lobbyist said the new exploration rules were needed to restore industry confidence.
"The government's intention to implement a risk-based regulatory framework is a welcome first step restore investor confidence NSW exploration," he said.
"It's also encouraging to see the Department of Resources and Energy undertaking a review of its own systems and processes to improve industry confidence in its role as a fair and consistent regulator."