Access Mineral exploration reports (WAMEX)
Mineral explorers in Western Australia must report on their projects every year, as required by law. After a period of confidentiality, these reports and data are made available to the public. These public reports are called open-file reports. They are stored in the Western Australian Mineral Exploration reports WAMEX database, where anyone can access them for free and download copies.
Mineral exploration reports include:
- Progress and results of programs that involve the application of geological sciences.
- Drilling programs and activities involving the collection and assaying of soil, rock, groundwater and mineral samples projects.
Current tenement holders or their agents may request reports that are still confidential.
Accessing WAMEX reports online
The Western Australian Mineral Exploration reports (WAMEX) database hosts open file company reports.
In addition to the GeoView search, the WAMEX search website allows you to search the text of all scanned PDF company reports.
Harmonised drillhole and surface geochemistry extracted from WAMEX reports can be searched and downloaded from Western Australia Exploration Geochemistry Online.
The data is also presented in a pivoted format and the complete set of pivoted tables can be downloaded.
Bulk downloads of WAMEX reports
You can obtain a copy of all public WAMEX reports on an external hard drive. To request a copy please contact wamex.enquiries@demirs.wa.gov.au
These data are updated twice a year, May and November, with reports that have been released.
To obtain the latest reports released please use the WAMEX search page. If a search does not find the mineral exploration reports expected, please submit by email a request to Wamex Data request
Current tenement holders or their agents may request reports that are still confidential.
Annual release of mineral exploration reports (Sunset Clause)
Mineral exploration reports held by the department for five years may be released to the public, under Regulation 96(4) of the Mining Act - the ‘Sunset Clause’.
Each year from early March, the proposed list of reports planned for release is published on the department's website. The list is advertised in the Mining Notices of The West Australian and the Kalgoorlie Miner. There is a period of two months during which the current tenement holders can study the list and object in writing to the release of any report.
From the beginning of May each year, we will release the reports that have no objections.
Also pursuant to Regulation 96(5) objections to the release of a report are only valid for a period not exceeding five years in each case. The current holder of a mining tenement covered by the report, or any subsequent tenement granted in renewal of or substitution for such a mining tenement, has the right to object to the release of the report under Regulation 96(5) of the Mining Act.
All objections must be in writing, include the ‘A’ number (Accession number of report), and specifically detail the page numbers and paragraphs in each report that justify the request for non-release of reports.
Objections should be submitted in writing, in two associated documents as follows:
- a covering letter
- a ‘read only’ Excel spreadsheet.
Objections to the release of reports should be addressed to the Executive Director, Geological Survey of Western Australia, and emailed to sunsetclause@demirs.wa.gov.au.
All objections will be acknowledged.
Reports released to the public will not be withdrawn if an objection is received after the report's release.
Please follow this link for further information:
Reports to be released include:
Reports proposed to be released for which previous objections have lapsed.
Reports proposed to be released submitted to the department from January to December 2018.
Mineral exploration report compilation and lodgement
Prepare mineral exploration reports using the online wizard. If you already have an ex login, go to “my account”, and add WAMEX online reporting to your list of accessible online systems. First-time users will be prompted by the system to register.
If you have been requested by DEMIRS to submit further data for a report lodged via the online system, this can be submitted through the same system.
Please note that GDA2020 will not be introduced across all systems until middle or late 2026. Gradual updates are being done to accept the new datum. Please continue to submit data in GDA94 until further notice.
Applications to create or amend combined reporting groups can now be submitted by completing an online form and attaching relevant documents using the WAMEX lodgement portal. A PDF of the application will be emailed to the applicant as proof of lodgement.
Mineral exploration reporting guidelines
We have prepared guidelines that specify the contents, standards, and format required in the preparation and submission of mineral exploration reports in accordance with Section 115A of the Mining Act 1978.
The latest guidelines were gazetted on 12th July 2019.
The Mineral Exploration Reporting software (MRT) is free tool available for adding required metadata to exploration data to make it compliant with the requirements of the guidelines.
Access the Guidelines for Mineral Exploration on Mining Tenements
