Explosives storage licence - New, amendment or transfer

When is this licence required?

An explosives storage licence is required to store any quantity of authorised explosives at a specific site (surface or underground).

Where separate entities store explosives at the same site in different storage facilities, a separate licence is required for each facility.  Where a single storage facility is to be used by more than one entity, one of those entities must hold a licence and take responsibility for safety and security for that site.

An explosives storage licence is issued for five years.

When is an explosives storage licence not required?

If the person:

• holds an explosives manufacturing licence
• is storing limited quantities of explosives and holds a shotfiring licence
• is storing limited quantities of fireworks temporarily at a fireworks event display site in association with a valid fireworks event permit
• is storing limited quantities of explosives and holds a pyrotechnics (special use) licence.
• hold an explosives transport licence and are storing Class 1.4 explosives in transit.

What about unauthorised explosives?

Any person storing an unauthorised explosive must hold a test permit that authorises such storage.

What explosives are authorised?

Applying for a test permit for an unauthorised explosive

Use of an accredited consultant

To develop the submission, it is recommended that those intending to apply for a licence engage a dangerous goods consultant accredited to prepare and submit security sensitive ammonium nitrate applications. The consultant will normally complete the application form on the applicant’s behalf, but the intended licensee must sign the application.

Applications submitted without accredited consultant endorsement may take up to three months to process and a checking fee applies. Deficient submissions will take longer to process.

Refer to What is the role of accredited dangerous goods consultants? for a list of consultants.

Who can apply?

• Licences can be granted to an individual, body corporate or partnership.
• Individuals must be at least 21 years of age.

Required information

The application must be signed by the intended licensee and lodged with:

• Completed and signed application form
• If applicable, a separate sheet briefly describing details of any relevant offence resulting in convictions, and/or charges pending
• The original certified colour copy of an interstate recognised security clearance
• The following attached descriptions
  • fire protection system within magazine
  • underground magazine ventilation
• A risk assessment to justify the quantity of explosives stored underground (if applicable)
• Details of underground magazines and their relative location to other facilities
• A risk assessment to justify the quantity of explosives stored underground
• A written Explosives Management Plan
• Plans as follows depending on location of storage:
  • a plan of the whole mine site or premises (surface storage)
  • a plan of the actual site / compound (surface storage)
  • a plan of the surface layout of mine site (underground storage)
  • survey plan showing magazine location to other facilities (underground storage)
  • survey plan of magazine showing layout of explosives and detonator storages (underground storage)
• Colour photographs of the magazines showing all markings and interior
• Individual: Colour copy of motor drivers licence
• Body Corporate: Original certified copy of certificate of incorporation
• Partnership:
  • Original certified copy of evidence of the partnership
  • A statutory declaration from each partner (see the application form for more information)

The supporting documentation, which can be the original or the original certified document (where a copy is requested this does not apply).

Failure to provide the required documentation will delay processing of applications. Most applications are dealt with within approximately 30 business days.

Application fee

The licence fee payable is determined by the total quantity of explosives stored at the site. Only the licence fee for the first year of the licence is to be lodged with the application. Licence fees for subsequent years will be billed annually.

A checking fee:

• does not apply if a consultant endorses the proposal as complying with the regulations
• applies for applications without accredited consultant endorsement.

The checking fees are equal to the licence fee payable with the application.

Go to Dangerous goods fees and charges for more information on licence fees.

Lodging the application

The completed application form, together with supporting documents and payment can be sent to the department via:

Emailed to: cso@dmirs.wa.gov.au