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The NSW Government is committed to ensuring that all exploration, mining and petroleum operations meet strict contemporary standards for environmental management.

The Environmental Sustainability Unit is uniquely placed within NSW Trade & Investment – Division of Resources & Energy (DRE) to advance the standard of environmental management for exploration, petroleum and mining activities in NSW.

Our responsibilities include:

• working with and facilitating communication between government, the mining and petroleum industries and the community;
• undertaking regulatory activities including:
  • reviewing environmental impact assessments for proposed exploration, mining and petroleum activities;
  • promoting compliance through site inspections, audits (both mandatory and voluntary) and regular reporting;
  • investigating complaints and environmental incidents;
  • taking appropriate enforcement action for non-compliances; and
  • coordinating regulatory activities with other relevant government departments and agencies;
• reviewing environmental performance prior to the granting of a title;
• reviewing and approving rehabilitation standards and plans proposed by mining and petroleum proponents;
• setting and reviewing security deposits which are held to ensure effective rehabilitation and the fulfilment of other obligations under the authorisation/title; and
• regulating onsite rehabilitation, supervising mine closures and determining when rehabilitation has achieved the required standards and the agreed post-mining land use.

All mineral and petroleum titleholders are required to document plans detailing how they will minimise impacts on the environment and undertake progressive and effective rehabilitation of disturbed land.