- Annual Seven Golden Rules for prospector safety launched today in Kalgoorlie
- McGowan Government urges all prospectors to carry a Personal Locator Beacon
Today in Kalgoorlie, Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston launched the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety's Seven Golden Rules for prospector safety.
Mr Johnston also presented a Budget overview at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry's office in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
The unfortunate death of a novice prospector, at the start of the year, is a dramatic reminder of the need to put safety first when looking for gold in Western Australia's harsh outback.
The man's body was found only 2.5 kilometres from his campsite, near Cue in the Gascoyne region, after a two-day land and air search in 45-degree heat.
This year's prospecting season is expected to be a busy one, with 974 Miner's Rights issued by the department since the start of the year - 537 of them since the beginning of April.
The McGowan Government urges prospectors to always carry a Personal Locator Beacon, which can be purchased from most outdoor and camping stores.
Search and rescue organisations describe the device as ideal for use in remote areas because it does not rely on telecommunication networks to submit a signal.
For more information, visit your nearest Mining Registrar's office to obtain a copy of Prospecting in Western Australia or download it from http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/prospectingwa
Comments attributed to Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston:
"Carrying a Personal Locator Beacon in the bush is absolutely essential; they're also affordable and cheaper than a mobile phone.
"Searches are not only stressful for the family and friends of those lost, they can strain precious police and emergency resources. If you take a beacon, there's a better chance of being found alive.
"Safety is one of the McGowan Government's number one priorities, and I encourage all prospectors to read the Seven Golden Rules before they venture out."
Minister's office - 6552 6700
The Seven Golden Rules
1. Put safety first
- Make sure you have enough water, fuel, maps and first aid supplies
- Give serious consideration to taking some form of telecommunications and a global positioning system to fix locations, and a Personal Location Beacon (PLB) - it may turn out to be your most important safety device.
2. Obtain a Miner's Right permit
when prospecting on vacant Crown land ($25 from any Mining Registrar's office).
3. Obtain a 40E permit
when prospecting within an exploration tenement (if you do not have written permission from the tenement holder).
4. Get written permission
from the tenement holder when prospecting on:
- a mining lease
- an exploration licence (if you do not have a 40E permit)
- a prospecting licence.
5. Comply with all legal requirements
when prospecting on a pastoral lease, this includes gaining permission from the pastoralist for access to certain areas.
6. Show respect when on Crown land
because it is used or set aside for many purposes, including:
- pastoral and grazing activities
- parks and forests
- the use and benefit of Aboriginal people
- mining activities.
7. Fill any holes
that you dug and repair ground that has been disturbed.
