Community involvement in mining and petroleum lease approvals
Environmental impact statements
Proposed large mining and petroleum projects are required to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) before an application for an environmental authority or resource authority can be issued.
If a project requires an EIS, you will be able to have your say on the EIS and the project’s potential environmental, economic and social impacts.
What is an EIS?
An EIS is a tool the government uses to assess:
- the current environment in the area of the project
- potential environmental, economic and social impacts of the project
- proponent proposals to avoid, minimise, mitigate and/or offset those potential impacts.
An EIS is also used to consider alternative ways to carry out the project in order to limit its impact.
For mining and petroleum projects, there are two Acts under which an EIS may be completed:
- Environmental Protection Act 1994
- State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.
In this guide:
- Environmental impact statements
- EIS under the Environmental Protection Act 1994
- EIS under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971
- Environmental authorities for mining projects
- Environmental authorities for petroleum projects