The Ministerial Council on Mineral and Petroleum Resources (MCMPR) was established by the Council of Australian Governments in 2001. At the inaugural meeting of the MCMPR in 2002, Ministers endorsed the Strategic Framework for Mine Safety, Realising a Safe and Healthy Mining Industry - the Contribution of Government. The Council’s Subcommittee of Conference of Chief Inspectors of Mines, is driving the implementation of the National Mine Safety Framework (NMSF).

The NMSF was prepared in consultation with stakeholders and represents views from across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. It is consistent with the National OHS Strategy 2002–2012 and identifies means by which governments can contribute to this national over-arching framework in relation to the exploration, mining and processing sectors. The overall goal of the NMSF on implementation will be to achieve a uniform nationwide approach to mine safety by:

• enhancing industry confidence through a clear and unambiguous approach to mine safety issues across Australia;
• removing duplication of effort, thereby reducing the costs of compliance and administration at both industry and government levels; and
• providing an environment within which further innovation and improvement can be fostered collaboratively and cost-effectively.
  

• deliver consistency within the industry and across jurisdictions;
• encourage action by stakeholders at an enterprise level;
• focus on continuous improvement, innovation and best practice; and
• recognise that responsibility for health and safety at mine sites rests with employers and employees, while ensuring that senior management remains accountable for leadership.

Have your say

Consultations are underway across Australia to develop the National Mine Safety Framework. Submissions close on Friday 20 July 2007. For more information on how you can have your say, click here. 

For more information about the National Mine Safety Framework visit the website at www.industry.gov.au/minesafety or see the National Mine Safety Framework Implementation Plan below from the Conference of Chief Inspectors of Mines.