WA Government Tightens Grip on Resource Exploration Licences with Forfeiture Notices and Retention Approvals

WA Government Issues Forfeiture Notices and Retention Approvals for Exploration Licences

As of March 2026, the Cook Labor Government is actively managing Western Australia's resource exploration landscape, demonstrating a dual approach of enforcing compliance through forfeiture notices and supporting sustained interest via retention status approvals.

What happened

The Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration has issued multiple "Notices Of Intention To Forfeit" for resource exploration licences. Concurrently, approvals for "Retention Status" are being granted by Senior Compliance Officers, such as Peter Bruce Cahill, under delegated authority. These actions are documented in recent WA Government Gazette entries, reflecting ongoing administrative processes within the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration.

What this means for you

If you hold or are seeking to acquire a resource exploration licence in Western Australia, these government actions directly impact your operations and investment security. For those receiving a "Notice Of Intention To Forfeit," it signifies a critical period to rectify non-compliance, often related to unpaid rent or other regulatory breaches, to avoid losing the licence. Conversely, receiving "Approval Of Retention Status" means your licence is recognised for its potential, allowing for a period of reduced activity while market or technical conditions are assessed, preserving your rights to explore the area.

What this means for WA

This active management by the Cook Government signals a commitment to ensuring the resource exploration sector operates efficiently and responsibly. The issuance of forfeiture notices indicates a stricter enforcement of licence conditions, aiming to prevent dormant or non-compliant tenements from hindering genuine exploration and development. Simultaneously, the approval of retention status suggests a balanced approach, acknowledging that some exploration projects require extended periods to become viable. This policy direction aims to maintain a dynamic and productive resources sector, fostering investment while ensuring accountability.

The numbers

While specific numbers of licences affected by forfeiture notices or retention approvals are not detailed in the provided excerpts, the repeated gazettal of "Notice Of Intention To Forfeit" and "Approval Of Retention Status For An Exploration Licence" indicates a consistent administrative process. The "Notice Of Application For An Order For Forfeiture" under Regulation 50(B) of the Mining Regulations 1981 highlights a formalised, regulatory pathway for licence cancellation. The delegation of authority under Section 12 of the Mining Act to officers like Peter Bruce Cahill underscores the operational capacity within the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration to process these applications efficiently.

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