Mining law in New South Wales : a discussion paper

This paper has been drafted to encourage discussion about the legal framework for mining in NSW, and to promote positive environmental outcomes. It identifies key inadequacies with the current system and makes recommendations for legislative change to make the current processes more sustainable, robust, equitable and transparent. The paper focuses on the Mining Act 1992 (NSW) ("Mining Act") and the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991 (NSW) ("Petroleum (Onshore) Act"), as well as the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (“EP&​A Act”), where many of the environmental gains can be made.