Department of Mines and Petroleum


The Department of Mines and Petroleum was a department of the Government of Western Australia until it was superseded by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation & Safety on 1 July 2017. The department was formed on 1 January 2009, out of the former Department of Industry & Resources and Department of Consumer & Employment Protection, which were split into three new departments, the Department of Mines & Petroleum, the Department of State Development and the Department of Commerce.
Its focus is the resources sector, maintaining a mining and petroleum regulatory role and incorporating the resources safety responsibilities from the former Department of Consumer & Employment Protection. It also oversees the Geological Survey of Western Australia.
The department operates the Mindex website, a continuously updated database containing information on mines, mineral deposits and prospects in Western Australia.
WWW dmp.wa.gov.au

Earlier history

The original Department of Mines was created on 1 January 1894 and ceased in that name on 1 July 1992 when it became the Department of Minerals and Energy.
During the 1894 - 1992 era, the department was originally divided into branches:
  • Registration
  • Accounts Correspondence
  • Drafting
  • Government Geologist
  • Government Chemical Laboratories
  • Corporate Services
  • Explosives and Dangerous Goods
  • Mining Registration
  • Surveys & Mapping

2000s

On 1 July 2001 Department of Minerals and Energy and the Department of Resources Development were merged to form the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
Further to a review in 2003 the Department was merged with the Department of Industry and Technology to form the Department of Industry and Resources on 3 February 2003.
This department was divided into business groups:
  • Mineral and Petroleum Resources
  • Business and Trade Services
  • Investment Services
The Department was changed again on 1 January 2009 and three new departments were formed: